Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.ai (StoryBrand.ai)

Could you take a month-long vacation from your business without things falling apart? One of our favorite guests, Mike Michalowicz, returns with seven steps you can follow to build a more efficient organization that runs on its own, without relying on you every step of the way. And hey, maybe that dream vacation is closer than you think!

What will your customer miss out on if they don’t buy your product or service? That’s the power of “FOMO” - or “Fear of Missing Out.” And as marketers, it’s critical that we create it -- without resorting to cheap fear tactics.

That’s why we’re excited to have Matt Ford on the podcast. He’s the creative force behind experience-driven marketing campaigns for Hulu, Adidas (among others) that customers don’t want to miss out on. Learn how you can apply this powerful strategy to your own brand!

If you’re like most businesses, you’ve probably lost more deals this year than you’d like to admit. And if you’re being honest, you actually don’t understand why that is. You’ve got a great product, clear messaging, a smooth sales process -- but time and time again you just aren’t closing the deal. Well, there’s good news. The secret to closing more deals is as simple as writing a great proposal. On this week’s episode, Koula Callahan shows you how to create a 7-part proposal that will help you close more deals and drastically increase your revenue.

In every great story, the main character goes on a journey and by the end she transforms from zero to hero. This is called identity transformation. The same is true for your marketing. When you participate in your customer's identity transformation you are going to win! 

This week J.J. and April unpack the first part of the StoryBrand framework, identity transformation, and how you can apply it so your customers feel like they've transformed after purchasing your product or service. April also talks with Macy Robison, one of our amazing StoryBrand Certified Marketing Guides, about how she directly used identity transformation inside the marketing of one of her clients and how it literally transformed their business!

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Every week on Marketing Made Simple, marketing experts Dr. J.J. Peterson and April Sunshine Hawkins give you practical marketing tips rooted in the StoryBrand framework and show you how to invite customers into a beautiful story where they become the hero and you become their guide. And when you help your customers win, you win.

Subscribe to weekly episodes, dropping every Wednesday in the Marketing Made Simple feed! Just search "Marketing Made Simple" on Apple Podcast, Spotify or wherever you enjoy podcasts.

Begin applying the StoryBrand Framework to your marketing by creating your own BrandScript for FREE at MyStoryBrand.com.

What if the secret to abundance isn’t found in chasing external success but in reframing how you see and approach your life and business? For so many of us, achieving more doesn’t always equate to feeling fulfilled. How can you shift your mindset and embrace the abundance already around you?

In this week’s episode, Cathy Heller, author of Abundant Ever After, talks with hosts Bobby Richards and James Sweeting and shares how reframing your relationship with abundance can transform your life and business. Cathy unpacks why aligning with your authentic self leads to true joy and creativity, how generosity can create immediate abundance, and why fulfillment starts with changing how you define success. Tune in for practical strategies to unlock a deeper connection to your purpose, your work, and the abundance waiting for you.

Get Cathy’s new book, Abundant Ever After, along with exclusive bonuses, at CathyHeller.com/book.

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BIG NEWS! After three amazing years, the Business Made Simple Podcast will be ending, and starting January 6, 2025, this feed will become home to an exciting new show:

Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.AI, hosted by Donald Miller. 

It’s been an honor providing you with the tools and frameworks to help you become a better business owner, and this new podcast will continue giving incredible value with actionable insights you can immediately apply. Stay subscribed to this feed so you don’t miss a single episode of Why That Worked starting January 6, 2025!

Need proven strategies and actionable tactics to drive your coaching business and make a bigger impact on more people in 2025? Don't miss our upcoming How to Land 5 High-Value Clients in the Next 30 Days, hosted by Donald Miller and Michael Hyatt, on December 12, 2024 at 10am CST. Register now at CoachBuilder.com.

FIND AND FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: Instagram.com/BusinessMadeSimple

In a story, a character never takes action on their own. They need to be challenged. The same is true for your customer! As the guide in your customer’s story, you must let them know what’s at stake if they don’t buy your product then clearly call them to action by asking for a commitment to buy.

This week, J.J. and April unpack the Call To Action, or CTA, section of the StoryBrand framework and show you: 

• How to create a strong Call To Action or CTA for your customer

• Specific examples of effective CTAs 

• Exactly where to position CTAs in your website to increase customer engagement

We also talk with Angie Schultz, one of our amazing StoryBrand Certified Marketing Guides, who shares how clarifying her client’s CTA lead to amazing results! Contact StoryBrand Certified Guide Angie Schultz directly at ClarifyYourMessage.com/Angie-Schultz.

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Every week on Marketing Made Simple, marketing experts Dr. J.J. Peterson and April Sunshine Hawkins give you practical marketing tips rooted in the StoryBrand framework and show you how to invite customers into a beautiful story where they become the hero and you become their guide. And when you help your customers win, you win. Subscribe to weekly episodes, dropping every Wednesday in the Marketing Made Simple feed! Just search "Marketing Made Simple" on Apple Podcast, Spotify or wherever you enjoy podcasts.

Begin applying the StoryBrand Framework to your marketing by creating your own BrandScript for FREE at MyStoryBrand.com.

The Enneagram is a personality typing system that teaches there are nine basic personality styles in the world. These styles, or “types,” deeply influence how we think and act. Today on the podcast, we welcome Ian Cron, an Enneagram teacher, to walk us through leadership “do’s and don’ts” for each type so we can lead our teams well.

Download the cheat sheet for this episode: http://storybrand.com/enneagram

http://buildingastorybrand.com/124

When it comes to growing your business, it's easy to fill up a list with potential great ideas. What's hard is deciding which ones to implement and when, especially if you only have the time and money to go with one.

In this episode, Donald Miller walks Jeff Stoner, co-owner of My Mickey Vacation Travel, through the decision-making process of choosing the next strategic initiative for his business. Don also coaches Jeff on how to "market for the moment," shifting resources and taking advantage of key points in time in your industry where you can more easily boost your lead numbers.

If you're running a business and aren't sure what your next big project should be, this episode is for you.

Explore the vacation services Jeff and his team have to offer at MyMickeyVacation.com.

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Many people believe that financial freedom—accumulating enough money to never work again—is the ultimate goal. But for most entrepreneurs, this dream feels out of reach, which leads to frustration and financial stress. The constant pressure to build wealth and achieve financial freedom can leave you feeling like a failure if you don’t hit that big number. So what if financial freedom isn’t the answer? What if there’s a more realistic and sustainable way to manage your money and build security?

In this episode, hosts James Sweeting and Bobby Richards talk with Tiffany Aliche, also known as "The Budgetnista," who shares her revolutionary concept of financial wholeness. Tiffany breaks down her 10-step plan that helps anyone achieve financial stability, whether you’re making $50k per year or $50 million. She also opens up about her own journey from financial mess to success and offers practical advice for small business owners to take control of both their personal and business finances. Tune in and learn how to build your dream business without sacrificing your financial peace!

Access amazing free resources to get started on the path to Financial Wholeness at TheBudgetnista.com.

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STUCK TRYING TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS? SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION FOR A CHANCE TO HAVE US COACH THROUGH IT ON THE SHOW: BusinessMadeSimple.com/Podcast 

ORDER COACH BUILDER, DONALD MILLER'S NEW BOOK, AND TRANSFORM YOUR EXPERTISE INTO A LUCRATIVE CONSULTING CAREER: CoachBuilderBook.com/Podcast

IF YOU'RE SERIOUS ABOUT IMPLEMENTING A PLAN TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS AND REVENUE, FLIGHT SCHOOL IS FOR YOU! JOIN NOW: SmallBusinessFlightSchool.com.

FIND AND FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: Instagram.com/BusinessMadeSimple

This week Martin Lindstrøm, author of The Ministry of Common Sense and expert at helping businesses around the world unleash their common sense, joins Don, Koula and J.J. 

Martin shows how to embrace empathy and unlock pure common sense to help grow your business and make you more money! 

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Find out more about Martin Lindstrøm and his book The Ministry of Common Sense at MartinLindstrom.com/Ministry-Of-Commonsense

Want to become a Business Made Simple Certified Coach? Apply now at CertifiedBusinessCoach.com

Needing to hire a Business Made Simple Certified Coach? Go to HireACoach.com

At Business Made Simple, we teach you everything you need to know to grow a business — BusinessMadeSimple.com

Join us on February 1 & 2, 2024 at Coach Builder Summit, the ultimate free livestream event all about helping coaches and consultants build and grow their businesses. Lock in your spot at CoachBuilder.com/CoachSummit.

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Business owners often find it hard to balance profitability with genuine customer care. If you’re too focused on getting things done quickly and making money, personal connections and customer service can often take a backseat. In a marketplace where business is often driven by the bottom line, how can you stand out by prioritizing relationships and exceptional customer service? 

In this episode, host Donald Miller welcomes Will Guidara back to the show. Will is the author of Unreasonable Hospitality and the former co-owner and manager of Eleven Madison Park, which became the #1 restaurant in the world. They discuss how to bring genuine care and top-notch service into any businesses, not just the hospitality industry. Their conversation goes beyond just business tips, exploring deeper ideas about the importance of caring for people in a world where respect for our fellow human beings seems to be slowly diminishing. Don and Will also answer and coach through listener submitted questions (submit your questions at BusinessMadeSimple.com/Podcast) around how you can incorporate unreasonable hospitality into your business. 

Has your faith in humanity been slipping lately? Tune in to learn how to respond to business challenges with care and compassion.

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STUCK TRYING TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS? SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION FOR A CHANCE TO HAVE DON COACH THROUGH IT ON THE SHOW: BusinessMadeSimple.com/Podcast 

PRE-ORDER COACH BUILDER THE BOOK AND TRANSFORM YOUR EXPERTISE INTO A LUCRATIVE CONSULTING CAREER: CoachBuilderBook.com/Podcast

IF YOU'RE SERIOUS ABOUT IMPLEMENTING A PLAN TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS AND REVENUE, FLIGHT SCHOOL IS FOR YOU! JOIN NOW: SmallBusinessFlightSchool.com.

FIND AND FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: Instagram.com/BusinessMadeSimple

Running a business can be exhausting and complex. As a business owner, you have to think about every aspect of your business including sales, finances, marketing, product development, and so much more! If you don’t take a step back every now and then to look at the big picture, you can get so lost in the details that you miss important opportunities for growth.

In today’s episode, we’re sharing the top business growth hacks from our 2022 episodes. You’ll hear clips from four conversations Donald Miller had with four business owners (including Amy Porterfield!) about growing their business. Listen in to these fan-favorite coaching moments so you don’t miss out on key business growth strategies going into 2023!

Re-listen to the full episodes from today's show on Spotify or Apple Podcasts:

Top Business Growth Hacks of 2022 Spotify Playlist

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3H9xRSqbX3vrXIrDtWriuz?si=82aa2ee168a54760

Direct Links on Apple Podcasts

#86: Scale Your Startup with 90 Minute Workdays

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/scale-your-startup-with-90-minute-workdays/id1092751338?i=1000576911190

#56: Curing the Overworked, Overwhelmed Business Owner

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/curing-the-overworked-overwhelmed-business-owner/id1092751338?i=1000548802730

#95: Will Guidara—Why a Culture of Hospitality Matters for Every Business

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/will-guidara-why-a-culture-of-hospitality-matters/id1092751338?i=1000583667492

#70: Amy Porterfield—How to Start a Successful Business From Scratch

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/amy-porterfield-how-to-start-a-successful-business/id1092751338?i=1000559312149

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PRE-ORDER THE NEW BOOK HOW TO GROW YOUR SMALL BUSINESS: GrowYourSmallBusiness.com

SUBMIT FOR YOUR CHANCE TO GET COACHED ON THE PODCAST: BusinessMadeSimple.com/Podcast 

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Did you know that 95% of people say that reviews or testimonials influence their purchasing decisions? That’s why it’s so important for businesses to utilize testimonials throughout all of their marketing – but many businesses forget to ask them!

It’s Day 6 of the Double Your Revenue Challenge, and in today’s episode, Donald Miller challenges you to interview one customer for a testimonial. When you capture someone’s story about how your product made their life better and share it with your audience, your credibility goes through the roof. Tune in now to learn specific tips on capturing compelling testimonials!

Take action and download the Double Your Revenue Challenge checklist at BusinessMadeSimple.com/Challenge.

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If you’re looking for comprehensive training and ongoing weekly coaching to help you double your business’s revenue, join Small Business Flight School.

During the Double Your Revenue Challenge, you can get $500 off Flight School with code DOUBLE2023.

Offer expires August 18, 2023.

If you’ve ever seriously thought about starting a business of your own, you’ve probably discovered how difficult it is to get good advice on how to do it.

What you need is a map, a blueprint, of how to get from your cubicle to doing what you love. And you need to know how to make money at it. Because, let’s face it, making a good living is an important part of your security and happiness.

This week, Donald Miller sits down with Dorie Clark, author of Entrepreneurial You, on the Building a StoryBrand podcast. Dorie’s interviewed over 50 highly successful entrepreneurs about how they’ve monetized doing something they care about, and she’s going to share with us all their secrets.

You’re going to learn the 3 key phases to develop your startup. By the time you’ve moved through these phases, you’ll be making good money and doing what you love.

http://buildingastorybrand.com/70

Most people think there are those who are “just born” creative, and those who just aren’t. Seth Godin would disagree. He believes that creativity, like riding a bike, is a skill everyone can learn and develop over time. It’s an important skill, too, and if we don’t develop practices that keep us creative, we could get left behind. In today’s episode, Seth gives us insight into how we can become more creative with our work. Whether you’re a graphic designer, and architect, a CEO or a receptionist, these practices will help you grow and become a more valuable professional.

The world around us is pretty bonkers.

Fortunately, that’s good for us as business leaders. Behind every headline, there are so many lessons that can make our business stronger.

Today on the Building a StoryBrand podcast, we hear the crazy story behind one of those headlines. Ryan Holiday is the author of Conspiracy: Peter Thiel, Hulk Hogan, Gawker, and the Anatomy of Intrigue, which tells the story of how Peter Thiel strategically launched a behind-the-scenes conspiracy to take down media giant Gawker.

The story itself is wild, but when Ryan tells it, it becomes a study in how to use narrative, patience, and strategy if you find yourself in a battle of sorts.

Maybe you’re battling a competitor for market share. Or battling a public misconception that’s hurting sales. In either case, this episode will give you a glimpse into what Thiel did behind the scenes to create the outcome he wanted.

Give it a listen today!

http://buildingastorybrand.com/88

It’s easy to spot weak company culture, isn’t it? We’ve all witnessed the politics, egos, and backstabbing. That kind of toxic environment makes it hard to do good work and retain good people.

But it’s not so easy to pinpoint what makes a thriving company culture. What steps can we take to cultivate it with our current employees? How can we recruit and hire people who “get it?”

To answer those questions, Donald Miller sits down with renowned business consultant Patrick Lencioni this week on the Building a StoryBrand podcast. Patrick shares the three characteristics of a great team member, plus practical ways you can help your team develop those traits.

Your business can’t reach its potential if your people don’t reach theirs. What Patrick shares here will help you create a positive, authentic company culture that drives your overall business growth.

http://buildingastorybrand.com/84

Do you feel like your job isn’t what you should be doing? Perhaps you have a side hustle that you wish could be your main hustle? Or you have an entrepreneurial itch that just won’t go away?

If so, you’d probably like some help in making your business dreams a reality. Someone who can guide your through the journey from beginning to end.

That’s why I’m happy to have Chase Reeves joining us on the Building a StoryBrand podcast. He’s a co-founder of Fizzle and their mission is to help you earn a living independently doing something you care about. In this episode, he outlines four steps to start you down the right path.

Follow these simple steps and you’ll discover there’s wonderful wisdom in them. They will spark your business dreams to life and make your entrepreneurial journey a success.

http://buildingastorybrand.com/60

What can you do in your business to turn casual customers into super fans? On this episode of the podcast, Donald Miller talks with online marketing expert Pat Flynn about how to interrupt customers’ routines, delight them with exclusive experiences, and more. Why? Because if your customers are succeeding because of your product or service, then you are, too. Whether you have an email list of 26 or run an enterprise, this super practical episode has a tip you can start using today.

Is your website failing to bring in sales? You may have a great looking site with a fancy tagline, but if it’s not selling, you’re probably missing the most important element: clear messaging that shows how you solve your customer’s problem. So what steps can you take to transform your website into a revenue-generating engine?

In today’s episode, host Donald Miller is joined by J.J. Peterson, Head of StoryBrand and co-host of the Marketing Made Simple Podcast, to discuss a simple formula for building a website that will generate leads and drive sales. You’ll also discover the reason why 65% of businesses fail and how you can avoid being one of them. Tune in and learn how to turn your website into a lean, mean sales machine! Get free access to The Ultimate Website Template at BusinessMadeSimple.com/Website.

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Pre-order Coach Builder, Donald Miller's new book, at CoachBuilderBook.com/Podcast and transform your expertise into a lucrative consulting career. If you pre-order right now at CoachBuilderBook.com/Podcast, you'll unlock amazing bonues like the 90-minute audio summary of the book so you can jump start your coaching career immediately! 

CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE MARKETING MADE SIMPLE PODCAST ON APPLE PODCASTS

IF YOU'RE SERIOUS ABOUT IMPLEMENTING A PLAN TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS AND REVENUE, FLIGHT SCHOOL IS FOR YOU! JOIN NOW: SmallBusinessFlightSchool.com.

SUBMIT FOR YOUR CHANCE TO GET COACHED ON THE PODCAST: BusinessMadeSimple.com/Podcast 

FIND AND FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: Instagram.com/BusinessMadeSimple

You've heard us say it over and over again: your marketing should invite your customers into a story where they are the hero. And this means focusing on their story instead of telling your own. But we're going to let you in on a secret today. There actually is there a way you can tell your brand's story. You just have to make it all about your customer and solving their problem.

In today's coaching conversation, Donald Miller talks with Eddie Zingleman, owner and furniture maker at Tennessee Woodworks. Don coaches Eddie through how he can utilize his unique story to grow his business, all while playing the guide and not the hero, even in his story.

If you are struggling to figure out how you can incorporate your story into your marketing and messaging without playing the hero, today's conversation will show you how.

Check out Eddie Zingleman's amazing work at TennesseeWoodworks.com. 

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SUBMIT FOR A CHANCE TO GET COACHED ON THE PODCAST: BusinessMadeSimple.com/Podcast 

TAKE OUR ON-DEMAND COURSES TO REMOVE THE MYSTERY OUT OF RUNNING YOUR BUSINESS: BusinessMadeSimple.com

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If you’re a visionary leader, you know how to inspire your company with big ideas. But you may not know how to scale your company with the right processes and hires -- and over time, your bottom line will suffer. Listen to today’s episode with Les McKeown, and learn the 5 practical steps to clean up and scale your company -- so you’re free to pursue the big-picture stuff you love.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed closing out 2022, you’re not alone! Many business owners and marketers feel the weight of incomplete projects, initiatives that never got started, and stress from trying to keep up with the ever-changing landscape of digital marketing. To make matters worse, you’re not even sure what to prioritize for 2023.

Instead of overworking yourself or getting paralyzed thinking about all there is to do, take a moment to take a step back with us. In this bonus episode of the Marketing Made Simple Podcast, J.J. and April present you with a “Marketing Mixtape” – the best marketing takeaways from our top episodes in 2022. Listen in to learn key marketing strategies from our top guests on the show this year to help you get clarity and inspiration going into 2023!

Re-listen to the full episodes from Part 1 of our Marketing Mixtape on Spotify or Apple Podcasts:

Marketing Mixtape Part 1 Spotify Playlist
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5f2mrAgMLErv7VjcTusHVj?si=49f42532ed834ee6

Direct Links to Full Episodes on Apple Podcasts:
#37: What You Need to Make Your Website Work
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-you-need-to-make-your-website-work/id1569923210?i=1000552677178

#60: What You Actually Need to Know About SEO
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-you-need-to-make-your-website-work/id1569923210?i=1000552677178

#49: The Best Way to Use Testimonials to Grow Your Business
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-best-way-to-use-testimonials-to-grow-your-business/id1569923210?i=1000563757386

#31: How to Build Your Social Media Content Calendar
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-build-your-social-media-content-calendar/id1569923210?i=1000548327400

Marketing Mixtape cover art designed by Tyler Core at TylerCoreShoots.com

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START CLARIFYING YOUR MARKETING NOW AND CREATE YOUR FREE BRANDSCRIPT: MyStoryBrand.com

HIRE A STORYBRAND CERTIFIED GUIDE TO HELP CREATE THE MARKETING AND MESSAGING YOUR BUSINESS NEEDS TO GROW: MarketingMadeSimple.com

STORYBRAND INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/StoryBrand

The marketplace can feel hectic during big promotional holidays like Memorial Day. So if you want to make it a record-breaking sales opportunity for your small business, there’s only one solution. Create an offer that's simply irresistible. That means you’ve got to understand what resonates for your audience and come up with a value proposition they can't say no to. With the shopping frenzy upon us, how do you ensure your offer not only stands out but calls out to the customers, compelling them to act immediately? 

This week, we’re diving into Part 2 of our 3-part series on creating stellar Memorial Day promotions. Podcast producer Bobby Richards, along with Business Made Simple Certified Coach Jessica Miller and StoryBrand Certified Guide Wes Gay, unpack the process of taking those initial offer strategies discussed in Part 1 and locking them in. You'll learn a simple 3-part framework for building and refining your promotion so that it commands attention and drives sales. They’ll also show you what to add to your promotions to make them irresistible and actionable. Listen in and learn how to craft a holiday offer that’s too good to pass up!

Contact Business Made Simple Certified Coach Jessica Miller directly at HireACoach.com/Jessica-Miller.

Contact StoryBrand Certified Guide Wes Gay directly at MarketingMadeSimple.com/wesgay.

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STUCK TRYING TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS? SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION FOR A CHANCE TO HAVE DON COACH THROUGH IT ON THE SHOW: BusinessMadeSimple.com/Podcast 

ORDER COACH BUILDER, DON'S NEW BOOK, AND TRANSFORM YOUR EXPERTISE INTO A LUCRATIVE CONSULTING CAREER: CoachBuilderBook.com/Podcast

IF YOU'RE SERIOUS ABOUT IMPLEMENTING A PLAN TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS AND REVENUE, FLIGHT SCHOOL IS FOR YOU! JOIN NOW: SmallBusinessFlightSchool.com.

FIND AND FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: Instagram.com/BusinessMadeSimple

As a brand, you must define what your customer wants. As soon as you define that, a story question forms in their mind: Can this brand really help me get what I want? Without this, the customer has very little interest in the story.

This week, J.J. and April guide you through the Character section of the StoryBrand framework and how you can:

-Define exactly what your customer wants

-Plug that specific language into your marketing

-Help transform your customer into the hero after they use your product or service to get what they want

April also talks with Stacey Moore, one of our amazing StoryBrand Certified Marketing Guides, who shares an example of how she redefined what her client's customer really wanted and how it not only clarified their message but grew their business.

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Every week on Marketing Made Simple, marketing experts Dr. J.J. Peterson and April Sunshine Hawkins give you practical marketing tips rooted in the StoryBrand framework and show you how to invite customers into a beautiful story where they become the hero and you become their guide. And when you help your customers win, you win.

Subscribe to weekly episodes, dropping every Wednesday in the Marketing Made Simple feed! Just search "Marketing Made Simple" on Apple Podcast, Spotify or wherever you enjoy podcasts.

Begin applying the StoryBrand Framework to your marketing by creating your own BrandScript for FREE at MyStoryBrand.com.

If you’re trying to run and grow a business, you know you’re going to need smart marketing tactics to get you to the next level of success.

The trouble is, there is SO MUCH information out there. And not all of it can be trusted to actually work for you.

So I’m thrilled to have Amy Porterfield joining me on the Building a Story Brand podcast this week. She’s an actual expert on all things digital marketing, and she has four ways you can dramatically improve your online marketing strategy, no matter what level you’re at today. Give it a listen!

http://buildingastorybrand.com

Solopreneur- we applaud you. You’ve worked hard, started a business, and grown it to where it is today. Now you’re ready to take the next step! ... Except you’re stuck. And because you alone continue to act as the “secret sauce” powering everything inside your business, you never see the light of day. To take the next step in scaling your business and avoiding burnout, you must first figure out how to scale yourself!

Today's guest, Katherine Kelly of KatherineKellyDesign.com, knows this all too well. Katherine is the "secret sauce" powering her very successful stationary business but is finding it harder and harder to grow when she's stuck doing everything herself. Donald Miller coaches Katherine (and you!) how to give up the need to control all aspects of the business, develop ways to automate, and staff her liabilities to finally gain back the freedom needed to continue dreaming and growing.

Order and experience Katherine's amazing stationary at KatherineKellyDesign.com. Follow her on social @KatheringKellyDesign.

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Are you stuck trying to grow your amazing business everyone should know about? We can help! Go to BusinessMadeSimple.com/Podcast, share what's been keeping you up at night when it comes to growing your business, and you could be a guest on a future episode. If selected, Donald Miller will coach you during a podcast taping to help identify where your business is blocked and what you need to do to fix it. Stop playing a guessing game when it comes to growing your business and go to BusinessMadeSimple.com/Podcast today!

If you are struggling to discover the problem that's keeping your business from growing, we can give you a customized plan to fix it. Just go to MyBusinessReport.com, fill out the assessment, and get a FREE detailed report on the health of your business along with a customized plan on how to make it more profitable. It only takes about 12 minutes to complete! Knowing what's really going on with your business shouldn't be a mystery. Go to MyBusinessReport.com right now and get the customized plan you need to fix it.

Every week on the Business Made Simple Podcast we help you discover what’s wrong with your business then show you how to fix it.

If you’re a leader, you need energy. But if you don’t have the right people in your life, you’ll always feel drained. On today’s podcast, Dr. John Townsend shares the 7 types of relationships -- which ones we need, which ones we don’t, and how to balance them so the people in your world keep you focused, creative, and fueled u

Run out of cash and your business will crash! That's why in this final episode of our seven-part series, How Your Business is an Airplane, we explain exactly how to manage your finances, giving you a plan to keep your business fueled with cash.

Don also talks with finance guru, Mike Michalowicz, who shows you how to implement his Profit First method. 

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Find out more about Mike Michalowicz or Profit First at ProfitFirstProfessionals.com

Want to become a Business Made Simple Certified Coach? Apply now at CertifiedBusinessCoach.com

Needing to hire a Business Made Simple Certified Coach? Go to HireACoach.com

At Business Made Simple, we teach you everything you need to know to grow a business — BusinessMadeSimple.com

Left or right.

Justice or mercy.

Traditional or innovative.

Logic or gut instinct.

We tend to be binary thinkers. We assume things have to be one way or the other.

But this is dangerous, according to Tim Arnold, today’s guest on the Building a StoryBrand podcast.

To be a better leader -- both at work and at home -- we need to embrace healthy tension. We need to learn to see life’s decisions not as “either/or” but as “both/and.”

When we do, we give ourselves a massive competitive advantage. We unlock a new level of leadership and creativity. Our businesses (and our lives) can breathe and be healthy.

If some area of your life or business has plateaued and you don’t know why, listen to this episode. It’s nuanced, it’s practical, and it may just be the “aha” moment you need to truly start thriving.

http://buildingastorybrand.com/85

If building a positive team at your organization feels like a uphill battle, this week’s podcast is for you. Ron Clark joins Donald Miller to share ten practical habits that will help both leaders and employees contribute to their teams in extraordinary ways.

Ron developed these ideas after years of serving educators and schools, but they work for businesses and nonprofits, too. Why? Because at the end of the day, ANY organization needs great people in order to thrive. Ron will show you how to be the kind of leader who draws the best out of your team.

Don’t miss this inspiring (and incredibly practical) episode. Listen now!

http://buildingastorybrand.com/89

Often, the hardest part of any sales process isn't starting—it's closing. Many businesses struggle to seal the deal, especially during high-stakes, competitive shopping periods like Memorial Day. You've made the offer, you've attracted the attention—now, how do you convert that interest into actual sales? The secret lies in effective closing techniques that resonate with your audience and inspire them to take action. As Memorial Day draws nearer, the pressure’s on to make sure that your holiday promotions don't just generate buzz, but bring in big profits. So what’s the best way to usher folks through the checkout line?

In this episode, we wrap up our 3-part series on crafting the perfect Memorial Day promotion. Returning to the podcast are producer Bobby Richards, Business Made Simple Certified Coach Jessica Miller, and StoryBrand Certified Guide Wes Gay. They are joined by special guest Dr. J.J. Peterson, Head of StoryBrand and host of the Marketing Made Simple Podcast. Together, they delve into the critical final phase of your Memorial Day offer: closing the sale. From creating a sense of urgency to offering extra value, you’ll learn top strategies for making sure your promotions not only draw attention but also drive sales. Tune in to make the most of your Memorial Day offers and convert those last-minute decisions into holiday revenue!

Clarify all your marketing and messaging talking points by creating your free Brandscript at Storybrand.com/sb7.

Contact Business Made Simple Certified Coach Jessica Miller directly at HireACoach.com/Jessica-Miller.

Contact StoryBrand Certified Guide Wes Gay directly at MarketingMadeSimple.com/wesgay.

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STUCK TRYING TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS? SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION FOR A CHANCE TO HAVE DON COACH THROUGH IT ON THE SHOW: BusinessMadeSimple.com/Podcast 

ORDER COACH BUILDER, DON'S NEW BOOK, AND TRANSFORM YOUR EXPERTISE INTO A LUCRATIVE CONSULTING CAREER: CoachBuilderBook.com/Podcast

IF YOU'RE SERIOUS ABOUT IMPLEMENTING A PLAN TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS AND REVENUE, FLIGHT SCHOOL IS FOR YOU! JOIN NOW: SmallBusinessFlightSchool.com.

FIND AND FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: Instagram.com/BusinessMadeSimple

If you’re looking to grow your business FAST, you might be surprised to learn that email marketing is one of the best ways to do that. But there’s a big problem: Most small business owners think they don’t have the time or expertise it takes to write marketing emails. In today’s episode, we’re busting that myth and helping you learn an email framework that’s doable and effective.

In today’s episode, you’ll learn from the email marketing master himself, Donald Miller. Join Don for this concentrated one-on-one masterclass where he shares the 6 emails you can send to generate sales and revenue. Not only will you learn how to write 6 money-making emails, you’ll also get 5 lead generator ideas that will help you capture your ideal customers’ email addresses. If you’re looking to grow your business and want a strategy proven to work quickly, this episode is for you!

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PRE-ORDER THE NEW BOOK HOW TO GROW YOUR SMALL BUSINESS: GrowYourSmallBusiness.com

SUBMIT FOR YOUR CHANCE TO GET COACHED ON THE PODCAST: BusinessMadeSimple.com/Podcast 

HIRE A STORYBRAND CERTIFIED MARKETING GUIDE TO HELP CREATE YOUR MARKETING AND MESSAGING: MarketingMadeSimple.com

GET YOUR CUSTOMIZED FLIGHT PLAN FOR GROWING YOUR BUSINESS: SmallBusinessFlightPlan.com

FIND AND FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: Instagram.com/BusinessMadeSimple

Hiring and managing top talent to grow your business can be overwhelming. Without a clear process to thoroughly qualify potential hires, you could find yourself on-boarding your uncle’s best friend’s cousin as your new sales director solely based on the fact that “they sold stuff at a job they had in college one time”. Not okay. If you never want to find yourself in that situation, you need a talent management framework. This week Don breaks down how you can start implementing one with special guest and Business Made Simple President, Doug Keim. Listen now to finally learn how to begin attracting, hiring and managing top talent within your business!

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Get access to the upcoming Business Made Simple Live Coaching event: Talent Management - Your Playbook for Hiring and Compensating Top Talent on Thursday, August 26 at 10a (CT). Just go to BusinessMadeSimple.com and register now! After you sign up you’ll also get access to all of our on-demand business courses as well as our upcoming monthly live coaching events. Discover how to attract, hire and manage top talent at our next live coaching event on Thursday, August 26 by going to BusinessMadeSimple.com!

At Business Made Simple we help you discover what’s wrong with your business and show you how to fix it.

Many small business owners and their teams spin their wheels when it comes to productivity. It feels like everyone is doing a ton of work – and you probably are! But since your effort is going in so many directions, your business isn’t gaining meaningful traction. That’s exactly why setting a limited number of priorities – and touching base on them weekly – is so important. 

It’s Day 8 of the Double Your Revenue Challenge, and today is all about productivity! Donald Miller teaches you how to increase your productivity not by working more – but by working on the right things. If you and your team would only set and follow through on strategic priorities, you’d not only get more done – you’d actually make a whole lot more revenue. Tune in now to learn how!

Take action and download the Double Your Revenue Challenge checklist at BusinessMadeSimple.com/Challenge.

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If you’re looking for comprehensive training and ongoing weekly coaching to help you double your business’s revenue, join Small Business Flight School.

During the Double Your Revenue Challenge, you can get $500 off Flight School with code DOUBLE2023.

Offer expires August 18, 2023.

If you started a company, you probably have the personality of an entrepreneur. Which means you don’t like running day-to-day operations! Visionaries are at their best when they can dream up ideas and launch new initiatives – not when they are bogged down in the details of running an operation. It makes sense for entrepreneurs to run things for a while, but it can end up hurting your business and frustrating your team if you stay in that seat too long.

In today’s coaching conversation, Donald Miller talks to Toby Walters, Owner and founder of ChurchGear, a company that certifies and resells used AV equipment to churches. Toby knows he isn't the best operator for his business and is struggling to find someone he can trust (and pay!) to take over. Listen in as Don talks through exactly how to craft a clear job description for the role, what kind of person to look for, and how to set the relationship up for success.

Learn more about Toby Walters and his company at ChurchGear.com.

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TAKE THE MYSTERY OUT OF RUNNING YOUR BUSINESS WITH OUR ON-DEMAND COURSES: BusinessMadeSimple.com

SUBMIT FOR A CHANCE TO GET COACHED ON THE PODCAST: BusinessMadeSimple.com/Podcast 

YOU NEED A PLAN TO GROW YOUR SMALL BUSINESS. TAKE THE 10-MINUTE ASSESSMENT, AND YOU'LL GET A FREE, CUSTOMIZED PLAN THAT WILL OPTIMIZE YOUR SMALL BUSINESS SO IT GENERATES MORE REVENUE AND PROFIT: MyBusinessReport.com

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: Instagram.com/BusinessMadeSimple

Art helps us see the world in a new way. But the art world itself can feel pretty intimidating. Today on the Building a StoryBrand podcast, we talk with three art world insiders -- an artist, a curator, and a patron -- so we can understand how it works and why it makes life better.

If you want to appreciate art at a finer level but don’t know where to start, this episode will inspire you.

https://buildingastorybrand.com/105

Let's start with the bad news. If you're attempting to target anyone and everyone as a potential customer, your business will never be known for anything. But here's the good news! When you nail down exactly who your customer is and become super specific in telling them exactly what problem you can solve for them, your business will fly far and fast.

This is what today's episode is all about. Our guest, Stephanie Gray, is a corporate trainer who originally came to us needing help strategizing how to grow her client list. But in her coaching conversation with Donald Miller, an entirely new career path was revealed! If you are struggling to get specific with the problem you solve for customers, lean in and listen, because today's coaching conversation with Stephanie Gray is for you.

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Are stuck trying to grow your amazing business everyone should know about? We can help! Go to BusinessMadeSimple.com/Podcast, share what's been keeping you up at night when it comes to growing your business, and you could be a guest on a future episode. If selected, Donald Miller will coach you during a podcast taping to help identify where your business is blocked and what you need to do to fix it. Stop playing a guessing game when it comes to growing your business and go to BusinessMadeSimple.com/Podcast today!

If you are struggling to discover the problem that's keeping your business from growing, we can give you a customized plan to fix it. Just go to MyBusinessReport.com, fill out the assessment, and get a FREE detailed report on the health of your business along with a customized plan on how to make it more profitable. It only takes about 12 minutes to complete! Knowing what's really going on with your business shouldn't be a mystery. Go to MyBusinessReport.com right now and get the customized plan you need to fix it.

Every week on the Business Made Simple Podcast we help you discover what’s wrong with your business then show you how to fix it.

It’s time for corporations, businesses, and consumers to wise up about how supply chains play a role in human trafficking around the world. While there are more slaves today than ever, Gary Haugen, CEO and founder of International Justice Mission, shares a game plan to stop it. In this critical interview, hear how IJM is partnering with giants like Walmart and Target to clean up supply chains so they don’t facilitate human trafficking. You’ll also hear how “story” is fueling those efforts. If you’re a nonprofit or business owner, you don’t want to miss it.

When you know your product or service will make your customer’s life better and you have the confidence to back it up, your business strategy is foolproof. But most of us walk around giving wimpy pitches instead because we’re afraid of sounding arrogant. Today’s guest, Nicole Walters, shows you why that’s costing you money. There’s actually a missing ingredient in your business strategy. It’s not better branding. It’s not more advertising. It’s confidence. Listen now.

On today’s episode, we talk about becoming a Business Made Simple Certified Coach. Click here to apply: https://bit.ly/bms-coach

Your business needs highly trained individuals to serve your clients well. But hiring top talent is expensive, and businesses often wonder how they can pay well and still keep the business afloat, especially when they have looming overhead expenses as well.

In this episode, Donald Miller talks with Michael Remole, CEO and Founder of Gateway Family Services of Illinois, a mental health organization providing services including equine assisted therapy. Don coaches Michael on how he can attract, retain and compensate the highly specialized workforce his practice needs to thrive.

If your business like an airplane, this coaching conversation is all about the body, or your overhead. If you are struggling to attract and retain top talent while also struggling to offer a competitive salary, this episode will give you a path forward and some much needed relief.

Learn more about Gateway Family Services at GatewayFamilyServices.org.

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Are you stuck trying to grow your amazing business everyone should know about? We can help! Go to BusinessMadeSimple.com/Podcast, share what's been keeping you up at night when it comes to growing your business, and you could be a guest on a future episode. If selected, Donald Miller will coach you during a podcast taping to help identify where your business is blocked and what you need to do to fix it. Stop playing a guessing game when it comes to growing your business and go to BusinessMadeSimple.com/Podcast today!

If you are struggling to discover the problem that's keeping your business from growing, we can give you a customized plan to fix it. Just go to MyBusinessReport.com, fill out the assessment, and get a FREE detailed report on the health of your business along with a customized plan on how to make it more profitable. It only takes about 12 minutes to complete! Knowing what's really going on with your business shouldn't be a mystery. Go to MyBusinessReport.com right now and get the customized plan you need to fix it.

Every week on the Business Made Simple Podcast we help you build your business like an airplane so you can fly it far and fast.

2021 was quite the ride, especially for businesses, and we’re honored you took the journey with us! Before we say goodbye to 2021, let’s look back on some of the most valuable and insightful moments from this year.

First, we return to episode one, where you learned how to build your business like an airplane so it flies far and fast. Then we’ll revisit the most valuable bites from conversations with:

John Lee Dumas (Episode #12) - How to Create a Content Production Plan

Ryan Deiss (Episode #19 & 20) - Start creating an Amazing Digital Marketing Strategy

Erin Meyer (Episode #34) - How to Give Freedom to Your Team and Still See Amazing Results

Hala Taha (Episode #37) - Why You Need an Internship Program and How to Build a Great One

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If you are struggling to discover the problem that's keeping your business from growing, we can give you a customized plan to fix it. Just go to MyBusinessReport.com, fill out the assessment, and get a FREE detailed report on the health of your business along with a customized plan on how to make it more profitable. It only takes about 12 minutes to complete! Knowing what's really going on with your business shouldn't be a mystery. Go to MyBusinessReport.com right now and get the customized plan you need to fix it.

Every week on the Business Made Simple Podcast we help you build your business like an airplane you can fly far and fast.

So many small businesses feel stuck when it comes to their revenue. Year after year they keep making the same amount, and no matter what they try, it doesn't seem to grow. How do you break out of a revenue rut?

In this episode, Donald Miller talks with balloon artist Natalie Teabo, owner of Hello Sunshine Balloons, who feels stuck in what her business is currently making. Don coaches Natalie on how she can triple or even quadruple her prices to not only keep her business afloat (no pun intended) but also grow it. 

If your business like an airplane, this coaching conversation is all about the wings, or your products. If you are constantly struggling to build demand and get customers to see the value of your products, then today’s coaching conversation is for you. 

Learn more about Hello Sunshine Balloons at HelloSunshineBalloons.com or on Instagram @HelloSunshineBalloons. 

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SUBMIT FOR A CHANCE TO GET COACHED ON THE PODCAST: BusinessMadeSimple.com/Podcast 

APPLY TO BECOME A BUSINESS MADE SIMPLE CERTIFIED COACH: CertifiedBusinessCoach.com

TAKE OUR ASSESSMENT TO FIND OUT WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOUR BUSINESS AND HOW TO FIX IT: MyBusinessReport.com

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: Instagram.com/BusinessMadeSimple

Join us on February 1, 2024 at Coach Builder Summit, the ultimate free livestream event all about helping coaches and consultants build and grow their businesses. Lock in your spot at CoachBuilder.com/CoachSummit.

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Many aspiring entrepreneurs find it hard to make the leap into the online business world. They see the potential in online courses or coaching but struggle with making good content, getting people interested, and selling their products and services. This often leads to a lot of hesitation and confusion that keeps would-be entrepreneurs stuck in jobs they hate for way too long. So we brought in one of our favorite experts to help you sort it all out!

In this episode of Business Made Simple, host Donald Miller teams up with Amy Porterfield, author of Two Weeks Notice and leading expert on digital marketing and online course creation, to answer and coach through listener submitted questions including how to quit your 9-5, produce online courses, shift professional identities, and more. This episode is chock full of advice for anyone wanting to venture into the online business space. Tune in for expert insights on starting and growing a successful online business.

Would you like Don to coach through your question like the ones featured in today's episode? Just go to BusinessMadeSimple.com/Podcast.

Get free access to Amy's masterclass "How To Monetize An Email List In 4 Easy Steps" at AmyPorterfield.com/ListBuilding.

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STUCK TRYING TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS? SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION FOR A CHANCE TO HAVE DON COACH THROUGH IT ON THE SHOW: BusinessMadeSimple.com/Podcast 

PRE-ORDER COACH BUILDER THE BOOK AND TRANSFORM YOUR EXPERTISE INTO A LUCRATIVE CONSULTING CAREER: CoachBuilderBook.com/Podcast

IF YOU'RE SERIOUS ABOUT IMPLEMENTING A PLAN TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS AND REVENUE, FLIGHT SCHOOL IS FOR YOU! JOIN NOW: SmallBusinessFlightSchool.com.

FIND AND FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: Instagram.com/BusinessMadeSimple

There is no doubt we’re all craving a return to normalcy. But is getting back to the way things were what your customers actually want? Joshua DuBois, market research expert and CEO of Gague.ai, gives Don some surprising insight. Peeking into his “crystal ball”, Joshua predicts how trends will change so you and your business can be more than ready heading into 2021!

Head to storybrand.com/survey to complete our 2020 Listener Survey before December 31 for a chance to win a $50 Amazon Gift Card! Just head over to storybrand.com/survey and give us your feedback!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

When it comes to your own personal story and experiencing a meaningful life, do you feel like things are coming up short? Even if you have a packed schedule, you might still wake up feeling restless, bored or even hopeless. Know that you are not alone. Too many people have lost interest in their own stories. But in this Business Made Simple six-part limited series, we want to help you change that. We want to help you become a hero on a mission.

In part one of our series, Donald Miller shows you how to find purpose in your life's story, all from his new book Hero on a Mission. If you're ready to wake up every morning interested in your own life, your own business, and your own story, then lean in and listen to how you can discover a deeper sense of meaning.

When you preorder Hero On a Mission on Amazon, Audible, or wherever you buy books, you'll also get free instant access to Donald Miller's limited video series How to Transform Your Life with Story-Based Goal Setting. Just email your receipt to book@heroonamission.com, and you'll unlock the course you need to achieve your goals using the power of story.

Attention small business owners, do you want to take your business to the next level? Well, we have great news for you! Donald Miller's new book "How to Grow Your Small Business" is now available, and it's jam-packed with practical tips and strategies that will help your business thrive.

And if you order the book before April 4, 2023, you'll receive a FREE ticket to our exclusive live virtual event: Business Growth Bootcamp! This 3-hour livestream will feature world-renowned marketers and business leaders, including Donald Miller, Dr. J.J. Peterson, and special guest Amy Porterfield. To gain access to this incredible event, simply go to BusinessMadeSimple.com/Bootcamp, enter your receipt number, and you're in! But don't wait, this offer is only available to those who order "How to Grow Your Small Business" before April 4.

Don't wait to take advantage of this amazing opportunity totake your business to new heights. Order "How to Grow Your Small Business" today, go to BusinessMadeSimple.com/Bootcamp then join us at the Business Growth Bootcamp. We can't wait to see you there!

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You probably didn’t start a business because you wanted to run the day-to-day operations. You started a business because you created a great product or service and wanted to live life on your terms. But as your business grows, you find yourself dealing with things like human resources and invoices and customer service. How can you streamline your operations so you can focus on being the visionary for your organization?

Join us for part six in our seven-part series based on Donald Miller's new book "How to Grow Your Small Business." In today’s episode, you’ll learn how to install the Management and Productivity Playbook so your organization relies on a predictable system instead of you. When you learn how to have the right meetings… with the right people… covering the right things… your business nearly runs itself. Tune in now to learn how to streamline your operations so you can focus on big picture growth – a job only you can do.

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START IMPLEMENTING A MANAGEMENT & PRODUCTIVITY PLAYBOOK THAT WORKS AT SmallBusinessFlightPlan.com

ORDER DON'S NEW BOOK "HOW TO GROW YOUR SMALL BUSINESS": GrowYourSmallBusiness.com

SUBMIT FOR YOUR CHANCE TO GET COACHED ON THE PODCAST: BusinessMadeSimple.com/Podcast 

FIND AND FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: Instagram.com/BusinessMadeSimple

The enemy of clarity is chaos and confusion. Not only is that true in your marketing and messaging, it’s true in your everyday work. But how many times have you or your team misplaced an important file, been locked out of a vital platform, or even discovered a digital asset you thought you owned was actually never yours to begin with? That kind of chaotic disorganization can bring any business to a halt.

In today’s episode, guest hosts Bobby Richards and James Sweeting sit down with Shawn Lemon, founder of The Digital Organizer. Shawn shows us what’s at stake when digital disorganization allows chaos to rule our business roost, as well as helping to identify the common symptoms of a disorganized workplace. He shares several tips that any business owner – from solopreneurs to leaders at large corporations – can take right now to address chaos head-on. As Shawn says, this common problem is no reason to feel shame or experience blame: there are plenty of simple but effective steps you can take to eliminate chaos and bring order to your organization.

Go to  TheDigitalOrganizer.com, click "Take the Quiz" and find out how effective your digital organization systems are and where you should put your effort first.

Then get the steps you need to start crafting a calm digital oasis in your workspace and access the free guide exclusive to Business Made Simple Podcast listeners at TheDigitalOrganizer.com/BMS. 

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STUCK TRYING TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS? SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION FOR A CHANCE TO HAVE US COACH THROUGH IT ON THE SHOW: BusinessMadeSimple.com/Podcast 

ORDER COACH BUILDER, DONALD MILLER'S NEW BOOK, AND TRANSFORM YOUR EXPERTISE INTO A LUCRATIVE CONSULTING CAREER: CoachBuilderBook.com/Podcast

IF YOU'RE SERIOUS ABOUT IMPLEMENTING A PLAN TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS AND REVENUE, FLIGHT SCHOOL IS FOR YOU! JOIN NOW: SmallBusinessFlightSchool.com.

FIND AND FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: Instagram.com/BusinessMadeSimple

A lot of us believe that killer negotiators are born, not made. But that’s not true. When you know a few key strategies, you can become a great negotiator and land great outcomes for your business. Best of all, you can do it while treating others with respect.

In this episode of the Building a Story Brand podcast, Donald Miller sits down with negotiation coach and expert John Lowry. John walks us through five techniques to improve our negotiation skills so we can strike better deals, increase our revenue, and grow our companies.

Get the worksheet that goes along with this episode at http://buildingastorybrand.com/26

This week my new book Building a StoryBrand is out! If you’ve been wanting to clarify your message pick it up today at Amazon or Barnes and Noble!

That said, if you don’t want to order it because reading hurts your brain, there’s a distant, distant second option I recommend. And that’s to listen to this week’s podcast because this week, J.J. and I shamelessly plug the book by going through it point by point. It’s like the audiobook but with a laugh track!

The main reason I wrote the book is because I wanted to make marketing easy and I believe it accomplishes that task.

To get the best points, though, you’ll have to buy the book to get. I’m no dummy. Anyway, I hope you read these ideas, apply them and make loads of money. And I hope they make you want to buy the book to make even more.

http://buildingastorybrand.com/65

If you want to build a team where everyone feels supported, heard, and ready to tackle big challenges, then you want to listen to this episode of the Building a StoryBrand podcast.

In it, we welcome our correspondent Allison Trowbridge as she talks with GiANT co-founder Steve Cockram. As a expert in both leadership and personality types, Steve walks us through the five different personalities (or “Voices”) you’ll find on every team and how to nurture each one.

In Steve’s words, “You can’t outsource culture.” Build a better one by making sure everyone feels safe and supported to contribute their best.

This episode will show you how. Give it a listen!

http://buildingastorybrand.com/93

Firing an employee is never easy and can make unwanted waves in your company. The emotional weight and potential fallout can affect your team's spirit and your company's culture, making it one of the tasks business owners hate the most. It's a situation that requires legal due diligence, as well as a good grasp of people's feelings and how an organization works. So how do leaders make sure they're doing it right and respectfully?

In this week’s episode, host Donald Miller explores the best practices for letting an employee go. He’ll show you how firing someone the right way can keep your team’s morale up and avoid creating a negative work environment. You’ll learn a step-by-step approach for identifying when it's time to let someone go, preparing for the conversation, and finding ways to support both the person and the team through the transition. Tune in and get practical tips on how to make these tough decisions and conversations easier!

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STUCK TRYING TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS? SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION FOR A CHANCE TO HAVE DON COACH THROUGH IT ON THE SHOW: BusinessMadeSimple.com/Podcast 

PRE-ORDER COACH BUILDER THE BOOK AND TRANSFORM YOUR EXPERTISE INTO A LUCRATIVE CONSULTING CAREER: CoachBuilderBook.com/Podcast

IF YOU'RE SERIOUS ABOUT IMPLEMENTING A PLAN TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS AND REVENUE, FLIGHT SCHOOL IS FOR YOU! JOIN NOW: SmallBusinessFlightSchool.com.

FIND AND FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: Instagram.com/BusinessMadeSimple

Many businesses feel like they have something to prove and position themselves as the hero in their story. But customers aren't looking for another hero, they're looking for a guide! When you position yourself as the guide, showing customers exactly how your product can fix their problems and transform them into the hero, you're destined to win!

This week, J.J. and April unpack the Guide section of the StoryBrand framework and show how you can: 

-Use specific language throughout your marketing to position your brand as the guide

-Combine empathy and authority to build trust and engagement

-Craft your marketing tools, like a sales email, through the voice of a guide

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Every week on Marketing Made Simple, marketing experts Dr. J.J. Peterson and April Sunshine Hawkins give you practical marketing tips rooted in the StoryBrand framework and show you how to invite customers into a beautiful story where they become the hero and you become their guide. And when you help your customers win, you win. Subscribe to weekly episodes, dropping every Wednesday in the Marketing Made Simple feed! Just search "Marketing Made Simple" on Apple Podcast, Spotify or wherever you enjoy podcasts.

Begin applying the StoryBrand Framework to your marketing by creating your own BrandScript for FREE at MyStoryBrand.com.

If you manage a team, it’s way too easy to just give advice and demand action. But if you want to get the best from your team so your business can grow, you’ve got to coach your people, not manage them.

In this episode of the Building a StoryBrand podcast, Donald Miller sits down with Michael Bungay Stanier. He talks us through seven questions we can ask our team members if we want to have better conversations.

http://buildingastorybrand.com/117

Pre-order Coach Builder, Donald Miller's new book, at CoachBuilderBook.com/Podcast and transform your expertise into a lucrative consulting career. If you pre-order right now at CoachBuilderBook.com/Podcast, you'll unlock amazing bonuses like the 90-minute audio summary of the book so you can jump start your coaching career immediately! 

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It's a common struggle for coaches—being tethered to an hourly rate, feeling undervalued, and unable to scale their business. The traditional model of trading time for money limits income potential and growth. So how do you transform your expertise into a sustainable, profitable business without being confined by the clock?

In today's episode, host Donald Miller shares a new perspective pulled right out of his newest book, Coach Builder, offering coaches a lifeline out of this trap. He introduces actionable strategies to diversify income streams, optimize value delivery, and take your coaching practice to new heights. Listen to get the tools and guidance you need to grow and scale your coaching business today!

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IF YOU'RE SERIOUS ABOUT IMPLEMENTING A PLAN TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS AND REVENUE, FLIGHT SCHOOL IS FOR YOU! JOIN NOW: SmallBusinessFlightSchool.com.

SUBMIT FOR YOUR CHANCE TO GET COACHED ON THE PODCAST: BusinessMadeSimple.com/Podcast 

FIND AND FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: Instagram.com/BusinessMadeSimple

Starting a business comes with plenty of challenges. And women face a unique set of them as they become entrepreneurs.

To help, Donald Miller sat down with Christy Wright, founder of Business Boutique. And we’re kicking off the third season of the Building a Story Brand podcast by discussing 5 game-changing insights for entrepreneurial women.

Christy sees the most common struggles women face in business. And she’s helped guide the success of thousands of female entrepreneurs through her wildly popular seminars. In this podcast, she shares five powerful insights women can use to develop as entrepreneurs.

If you’re dreaming about starting a business, trying to get one off the ground, or building an empire, don’t miss this episode.

http://buildingastorybrand.com

You know you have a story to tell but struggle how to even begin telling it. Where should you start? Is it captivating? Who really wants to hear your story? It's overwhelming. That's why we’re answering the question, “How and why should you write your story?” We're joined by special guest Allison Fallon, author of "The Power of Writing It Down", who’s helped hundreds of people find their voice, tell their stories, and share them with the world. In this episode she’ll walk you step-by-step on how to start writing your story and the best way to tell it.

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Let Allison help you start writing your story at WriteYourStory.com

If you want to become a Business Made Simple professional, sign up for pro access at BusinessMadeSimple.com and get all our online courses plus access to live coaching sessions with Donald Miller every month.

Go pro at BusinessMadeSimple.com

Do you and your team members suffer from DSD — Distracted, Stressed, and Disconnected? 

Sure, you believe in what your team is doing. And you believe in the people on your team. But it feels like no matter how hard you all work, the results keep eluding you.

Worse, you go home exhausted and give your family the only thing you’ve got … leftovers. You’d love to find a way to turn your team around, but how?

On the podcast this week, Donald Miller interviews Craig Ross, one of the authors of Do Big Things: The Simple Steps Teams Can Take to Mobilize Hearts and Minds, and Make an Epic Impact.  

Craig is wanting teams to get big results without losing their souls. He’ll take you through 7 essential steps teams must execute to do extraordinary things while making DSD a thing of the past. When your team has heart, you’ll not only get the job done, you’ll become legendary within your company and your family.

http://buildingastorybrand.com/58

One of the hardest parts of building a business is hiring the right people. This becomes even more challenging when you’re looking to hire a second in command. You need someone you can trust on a deep level and someone who has the right skills set for the job. If you make the wrong hire in this area, it can be catastrophic for your business and ruin years of hard work.

In today’s episode, guest host Dr. J.J. Peterson, Director of StoryBrand and host of the Marketing Made Simple Podcast, talks with Cameron Herold about how to hire the right person for this important leadership role. Cameron is the author of the book "Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO" and shares practical tips on hiring a second in command and points out that it doesn’t always mean hiring a COO. Listen in now to learn how you can hire a second in command with confidence and clarity to help scale your business!

Go to InvestInYourLeaders.com and use promo code "BMS10" to receive 10% off Cameron's Invest In Your Leaders course.

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PRE-ORDER THE NEW BOOK HOW TO GROW YOUR SMALL BUSINESS: GrowYourSmallBusiness.com

SUBMIT FOR YOUR CHANCE TO GET COACHED ON THE PODCAST: BusinessMadeSimple.com/Podcast 

GET YOUR CUSTOMIZED FLIGHT PLAN FOR GROWING YOUR BUSINESS: SmallBusinessFlightPlan.com

FIND AND FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: Instagram.com/BusinessMadeSimple

There’s a myth that says it takes dozens of bad product ideas to uncover one good one. The problem is, that means you’re sending revenue down the drain. In part five of our seven part series, How Your Business is an Airplane, we’re focusing on the wings of the airplane – or your product. You don’t have to waste any more time creating dead-end products. Do these two things and you'll knock your product ideas out of the park the first time. 

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Learn more about Allison Trowbridge how her company, Copper, can help you build meaningful community through book clubs by joining the waitlist at MeetCopper.com

Want to become a Business Made Simple Certified Coach? Apply now at CertifiedBusinessCoach.com

Needing to hire a Business Made Simple Certified Coach? Go to HireACoach.com

At Business Made Simple, we teach you everything you need to know to grow a business — BusinessMadeSimple.com

We business leaders like to talk about our "core values," but all too often, those values don't actually show up in our products, services, and business practices.

That's not the case at Brandless, an online retailer with a wholly different approach to how people shop for home essentials. They've built everything around core values like quality, community, and kindness.

On today's episode, our guest correspondent Allison Trowbridge talks with Tina Sharkey, the co-founder of Brandless, about the practical ways we can build our businesses around our core values. Listen now!

http://buildingastorybrand.com/126

Get ready for an all-new podcast experience! Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.AI launches January 6th.

Have you ever wondered why some brands, trends, and campaigns succeed while others fall flat? Host Donald Miller dives deep into the strategies behind today’s biggest successes, breaking them down into actionable insights you can use.

Whether you're a business owner, marketer, or just someone fascinated by the "why" behind success, this show is for you. The first episode drops Monday, January 6th, right here. Don’t miss it—subscribe now wherever you listen to podcasts to stay in the loop!

If you approach creating a habit with drudgery, you won’t stick with it. The key is to create pleasure around healthy habits so they’re more likely to stick. Today on the podcast, Atomic Habits author James Clear gives us an entirely fresh approach to making and breaking habits. What if discipline and willpower had nothing to do with it? If you’re tired of failing at the habits that will create a better life for you, make sure you listen to this episode.

There are specific qualities that highest paid people possess. I don’t mean integrity or honesty or kindness — those are characteristics you have to have in order to be a decent human. I’m talking about tangible character traits that make you a value-driven professional. Traits like understanding how to receive feedback, de-escalating drama and prioritizing your highest return opportunities. There’s a reason the highest paid people are where they are — and I want to teach you why.

If you develop these characteristics, you become seen as a valuable “product” that organizations will want to invest in. Not too dissimilar from a good stock, you become the type of employee who gives your organization a great return. And when you give an organization a great return, they’re more likely to pay you more. A lot more.

In this week’s episode I’ll explain the 10 characteristics of every value-driven professional and how you can develop them. When you embody these traits, you’ll increase your economic value on the open market and your career will soar.

Life’s curveballs can leave you feeling out of control, burned out, and off your game. And when your mornings feel chaotic, the rest of your day never seems to recover. Most people start their day hitting snooze, reacting to problems, and dragging themselves to work.  But what if you could take back your mornings and start every day with clarity, purpose, and motivation? Imagine how much more you could accomplish if you were already firing on all cylinders before 9 a.m.

In this week’s episode, Bobby Richards and James Sweeting sit down with Hal Elrod, best-selling author of The Miracle Morning. Hal shares the powerful SAVERS framework — 6 daily habits that can revitalize your mornings and change your life. You’ll learn how to overcome adversity, build emotional resilience, and design a morning routine that supports your mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Listen in to discover how a small shift in the first hours of your day can spark massive change in your life and business!

Go to MiracleMorning.com to learn how to start upgrading your morning routine.

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BIG NEWS! After three amazing years, the Business Made Simple Podcast will be ending, and starting January 6, 2025, this feed will become home to an exciting new show:

Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.AI, hosted by Donald Miller. 

It’s been an honor providing you with the tools and frameworks to help you become a better business owner, and this new podcast will continue giving incredible value with actionable insights you can immediately apply. Stay subscribed to this feed so you don’t miss a single episode of Why That Worked starting January 6, 2025!

FIND AND FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: Instagram.com/BusinessMadeSimple

Donald Miller sits down with Mike McHargue, aka "Science Mike," to discuss what's really going on in your customers' brains when they come to your website. It's a fun and accessible look at the neuroscience of sales and marketing. When you understand how the human brain is wired, you can create irresistible marketing that taps into your customers' most powerful, predictable instincts.

Visit http://buildingastorybrand.com/2 to get an unedited version of the interview with Science Mike, along with a video of Don's website critique.

Some believe being a strong leader means having all the answers and ruling with an iron fist. But unfortunately for them, they don't last long. It's only when you lead with empathy and compromise that you build trust and buy-in within your organization. In this episode we talk with former Tennessee governor Bill Haslam, author of the book Faithful Presence, about how to lead, even in the most turbulent times, with an open mind and not by your emotions.

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Click here to order Bill Haslam's new book, Faithful Presence. You can also find it wherever buy books. 

If you need help assessing what’s wrong with your business, you can hire a Business Made Simple Certified Coach at HireACoach.com. We certify the best business coaches in the world who can help you figure out exactly what’s wrong with your business then give you the tools you need to fix it. Just go to HireACoach.com today! 

Every week on Business Made Simple we help you discover what’s wrong with your business then show you how to fix it.

You can launch a product online with hope. Or you can launch it with a plan.

In the Season 2 finale of the Building a Story Brand podcast, Donald Miller talks with Jeff Walker, digital marketing pioneer and creator of the wildly successful Product Launch Formula. Jeff shows us how to make our marketing more successful by treating it like a can't-miss event. Listen in and discover the strategies that have earned Jeff's students an estimated 400 million dollars and counting. If you're starting a business or struggling to make sales online, don't miss this episode!

http://buildingastorybrand.com

If you had a chance to sit down with a world-renowned businessman, what would you ask?

As an entrepreneur, you’d likely want him to go back to the point where you are and find out what crucial decisions he made to help his business go big.

Blake Mycoskie, Founder and Chief Shoe Giver of TOMS, is one of the top young businessmen in the world and perhaps the most visionary entrepreneur in forming social-minded businesses and consumers.

On the podcast this week, I sit down with Blake to talk about his entrepreneurial journey. Blake shares a fascinating story of how he became a fashion mogul by giving shoes away through his One for One model, and he gives some powerful advice regarding you as an entrepreneur. During the interview, I hone in on the three critical hires he made to scale up his business during the embryonic stage of TOMS.

http://buildingastorybrand.com/61

What would it be like to release a product without any platform, customer base, or name recognition? That’s exactly where James Clear found himself when he released his book, Atomic Habits. Now, Atomic Habits is a staple on bestsellers lists with over one million copies sold. On today’s episode, James is unpacking the psychology of a successful product launch and sharing his secrets with you. No matter what type of product you sell or what your customer base looks like today, these tips will help your next product launch be a hit!

We talk a lot about “trust” in our businesses. But a lot of us are getting it wrong. On this episode, Oxford lecturer and bestselling author Rachel Botsman joins us for a fascinating look at how trust works in the business world, how it’s changing, and what we need to do to keep up.

http://buildingastorybrand.com/109

It feels like just about everyone is trying to "build their online platform" these days. But only the people who do it right are the ones that reap the benefits. And yes -- there is a "right" way to do it. On this week's episode, John Lee Dumas, author of the book "The Common Path to Uncommon Success" shares a step-by-step plan for how you can produce consistent content for your platform that doesn't feel cheesy and allows you to expand your influence.

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Find out more about The Common Path to Uncommon Success at UncommonSuccessBook.com

When you become a Business Made Simple Professional, you get access to our library of courses that take the mystery out of growing a business. Become a Business Made Simple Professional today at BusinessMadeSimple.com

Ever had a day where you felt unstoppable? It feels like you’re on top of the world and you believe wholeheartedly in what you’re building. But then there are other days when you’re so discouraged you can’t even take out the trash. What’s the difference between those days? Your belief level. Without belief, our productivity levels plummet, our motivation dwindles, and our perspective shrinks.

In today’s conversation, Donald Miller talks with Mignon François, founder and owner of the Cupcake Collection and author of the new book "Made From Scratch: Finding Success Without a Recipe". Mignon shares her mindblowing story of turning a five-dollar bill into a $10M business through the power of faith and hard work. Listen to Mignon’s incredible journey of entrepreneurship and learn how building your belief level can help you overcome obstacles and achieve what seems impossible – in your business and in your life.

Order Mignon's new book at rhboyd.com/pages/Mignon-Francois-Made-From-Scratch or wherever you buy books. 

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IF YOU'RE SERIOUS ABOUT IMPLEMENTING A PLAN TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS AND REVENUE, FLIGHT SCHOOL IS FOR YOU! JOIN NOW: SmallBusinessFlightSchool.com.

ORDER DON'S NEW BOOK "HOW TO GROW YOUR SMALL BUSINESS": GrowYourSmallBusiness.com

SUBMIT FOR YOUR CHANCE TO GET COACHED ON THE PODCAST: BusinessMadeSimple.com/Podcast 

FIND AND FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: Instagram.com/BusinessMadeSimple

Are your employees always busy, but your business still doesn’t seem to move forward? Do you feel like you’re always stuck micromanaging? Without a management and execution system, this is the arena you can expect to play in. But if you want employees who are focused, productive, and happy in their jobs, then today’s conversation is for you! Donald Miller and Tim Schurrer, Vice President of Talent Management and Culture at Business Made Simple, coach you through the simple but effective management and execution framework you need to empower your employees, stay out of the weeds and leave you feeling confident as a leader knowing your team is tracking toward your big goals.

Get access to the upcoming Business Made Simple Live Coaching event: Management & Execution: Master a Simple System to Manage Any Team on Thursday, October 21 at 10a (CT). Just go to BusinessMadeSimple.com and register now! After signing up you’ll also get access to all of our on-demand business courses as well as our other monthly live coaching events. If you know you need to get serious about management and execution but aren't sure where to start, this live coaching event is for you. Go to BusinessMadeSimple.com and register now!

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If you need help assessing what’s wrong with your business, you can hire a Business Made Simple Certified Coach at HireACoach.com. We certify the best business coaches in the world who can help you figure out exactly what’s wrong with your business then give you the tools you need to fix it. Just go to HireACoach.com today! 

Every week on Business Made Simple we help you discover what’s wrong with your business then show you how to fix it.

Welcome to 2017! If you’re wondering how to make this year more productive and meaningful, try the 30-day process we walk you through in this week's episode. This system won’t take you more than a few minutes each day, but it will unlock new levels of energy and focus you didn’t know you had.

Listen now and discover how to develop new habits, become more productive, overcome procrastination, and complete the major projects that will move the needle for your business this year.

http://buildingastorybrand.com/25

As a soloprenuer, you are used to doing everything yourself. But as a team of one there's only so much you can do to scale your business. So when it comes to growth, how do you create a strategy for expanding your team that doesn't inflate your overhead, grows your revenue, and utilizes your time and talents to the fullest?

In this episode, Donald Miller talks with Laurelyn Dexter, owner of My Brand Photographer, a business that helps female entrepreneurs grow their businesses through strategic brand photography, and coaches her on how to make a strategic first hire that makes her business scalable.

If you think of your business like an airplane, this coaching conversation is all about the body (overhead) and wings (products). After listening, you will have a clear idea how to bring on a new team member to increase the strength of your wings without adding more weight to the body of your plane.

Learn more about Laurelyn Dexter and My Brand Photography at MyBrandPhotographer.com.

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Are you stuck trying to grow your amazing business everyone should know about? We can help! Go to BusinessMadeSimple.com/Podcast, share what's been keeping you up at night when it comes to growing your business, and you could be a guest on a future episode. If selected, Donald Miller will coach you during a podcast taping to help identify where your business is blocked and what you need to do to fix it. Stop playing a guessing game when it comes to growing your business and go to BusinessMadeSimple.com/Podcast today!

If you are struggling to discover the problem that's keeping your business from growing, we can give you a customized plan to fix it. Just go to MyBusinessReport.com, fill out the assessment, and get a FREE detailed report on the health of your business along with a customized plan on how to make it more profitable. It only takes about 12 minutes to complete! Knowing what's really going on with your business shouldn't be a mystery. Go to MyBusinessReport.com right now and get the customized plan you need to fix it.

Every week on the Business Made Simple Podcast we help you build your business like an airplane so you can fly it far and fast.

When it comes to selling your products, they need to be in demand and profitable. But what about if you are the product? How can you strategize and build a personal brand that is both in demand and profitable?

In this episode, Donald Miller coaches Shanera Williamson, founder and podcast host of Brown Mama Bear, a personal brand centered around helping mothers raise brown children in white spaces. Don coaches her on a step-by-step plan to grow her audience and build engagement.

If you think of your business like an airplane, this coaching conversation is all about building the airplane! After today you will have a clear path on how to build a personal brand as well as what's needed to grow and sustain it.

Learn more about Brown Mama Bear and listen to Shanera's new podcast at BrownMamaBear.com.

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Are you stuck trying to grow your amazing business everyone should know about? We can help! Go to BusinessMadeSimple.com/Podcast, share what's been keeping you up at night when it comes to growing your business, and you could be a guest on a future episode. If selected, Donald Miller will coach you during a podcast taping to help identify where your business is blocked and what you need to do to fix it. Stop playing a guessing game when it comes to growing your business and go to BusinessMadeSimple.com/Podcast today!

If you are struggling to discover the problem that's keeping your business from growing, we can give you a customized plan to fix it. Just go to MyBusinessReport.com, fill out the assessment, and get a FREE detailed report on the health of your business along with a customized plan on how to make it more profitable. It only takes about 12 minutes to complete! Knowing what's really going on with your business shouldn't be a mystery. Go to MyBusinessReport.com right now and get the customized plan you need to fix it.

Every week on the Business Made Simple Podcast we help you build your business like an airplane so you can fly it far and fast.

Could your price actually become a selling point for your product? On today’s podcast, author and speaker Allan Langer shares his secret to pricing products in a way that makes them sell. It isn’t about cutting costs and running sales -- it’s about using price as a sales strategy. When you implement these five practical tips, you’ll harness the power of pricing once and for all.

Motivation is overrated. If you want to accomplish the things that will grow your life and your business, you can’t rely on it.

And today’s guest on the Building a Story Brand podcast, Mel Robbins, is with me on this notion that motivation isn’t the key to success. More than that, she’s discovered a simple mental strategy we can use to bypass motivation in order to make wise decisions that grow our businesses, make healthful decisions, and strengthen our relationships. It’s incredibly simple and intuitive, as you’ll see, and it has the power to dramatically impact your life.

Get the worksheet that goes along with this episode at http://buildingastorybrand.com/37

If you’re good at marketing, you know how to make people understand what you offer. But if you’re good at branding, you know how to make people feel a certain way about it.

When you master this, you can create exponential value for your business. (For example, branding is what allowed Starbucks to sell a 50-cent cup of coffee for $4.)

This week on the Building a Story Brand podcast, Donald Miller talks with advertising legend Don Schneider about the art of branding. He’s the creative force behind ads for marquee brands like Pepsi, GE, and HBO. But as you’ll see in this episode, what he’s discovered about branding and human behavior applies no matter your budget.

Listen now and discover the secrets of branding that can have an exponential impact on your bottom line.

Get the worksheet that goes along with this episode at http://buildingastorybrand.com/27

If you read the headlines, you know our mental health is precious. But you also know it’s in jeopardy.

As business leaders, what can we do? Plenty.

Today on the podcast, we welcome Dr. Lee Norton, a clinical social worker and trauma expert. She helps us understand the role mental health plays at work. What is trauma and how does it show up in our employees? What do you do if you work for someone who lacks empathy? How can you protect your own mental health and look out for the people around you, too?

It’s a timely conversation with loads of insight for business leaders who want to create a safe and nurturing work environment.

http://buildingastorybrand.com/102

Running a company can sometimes feel like a treacherous journey.

A bad financial decision will cost you a ton of money. If you don’t give enough attention to your relationships, you might lose your family. And a lack of focus sucks away precious time.

It’d be so much simpler if you had a map to guide you through it. Some sort of blueprint to show you where you might fall so you can avoid the hassle of trying to dig your way out.

That’s why I’m thrilled about this episode of the Building a StoryBrand podcast with David Covey and Stephan Mardyks, co-authors of Trap Tales: Outsmarting the 7 Hidden Obstacles to Success. In this episode, they highlight the major traps business leaders slip into and show you how to steer clear of them.

Listen now so you can avoid these common pitfalls and save time, money and your relationships.

http://buildingastorybrand.com/56

Ever wonder what it’s like in the film industry? What it’s really like?

Today on the Building a StoryBrand podcast, we’re taking an insider tour of the movie business. Our guest correspondent Allison Trowbridge sat down with actor Kellan Lutz (of 'Hercules' and 'Twilight' fame) and top manager/producer Ryan Daly. Together, they give us a fascinating look at what it takes to succeed with integrity in a cutthroat industry. There are some surprising takeaways for other industries too, particularly if partnerships, clients, negotiation, or first impressions are a part of your job.

http://buildingastorybrand.com/99

Feeling overwhelmed by your to-do list? Download The Small Business Owner’s Quickstart Checklist for free at BusinessMadeSimple.com/Quickstart and start streamlining your operations, clarifying your message, and building a business that works for you.

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Video marketing can do wonders for your business—if you're comfortable getting on camera. For many, though, creating videos feels awkward and overwhelming. We freeze up, obsess over tiny details, or just have no idea where to start, leaving us feeling defeated before we even hit record. If you’re tired of watching hours of footage, only to realize you didn’t get what you needed, or you just hate how you sound and look on camera, you’re not alone. But there’s a better way to approach it that will make your video creation smoother and your personality shine through. 

In today’s episode, hosts Bobby Richards and James Sweeting sit down with Abby Walla and David Storch, Hollywood film professionals and co-founders of Crushing It On Camera. They introduce their proven “Hollywood Method” to help you get comfortable on camera, using simple techniques to deliver content authentically. Whether you’re shooting a short reel or a 30-minute webinar, you’ll learn how to leave behind the stress of scripts or endless retakes. Abby and David teach you how to get prepared, bullet-point ideas, and stay natural. Listen in and learn how to feel confident, authentic, and genuinely excited to create video content.

Go to CrushingItOnCamera.com to access Abby and David's free Hollywood Method webinar.

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STUCK TRYING TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS? SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION FOR A CHANCE TO HAVE US COACH THROUGH IT ON THE SHOW: BusinessMadeSimple.com/Podcast 

ORDER COACH BUILDER, DONALD MILLER'S NEW BOOK, AND TRANSFORM YOUR EXPERTISE INTO A LUCRATIVE CONSULTING CAREER: CoachBuilderBook.com/Podcast

IF YOU'RE SERIOUS ABOUT IMPLEMENTING A PLAN TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS AND REVENUE, FLIGHT SCHOOL IS FOR YOU! JOIN NOW: SmallBusinessFlightSchool.com.

FIND AND FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: Instagram.com/BusinessMadeSimple

If you’ve ever thought that hospitality is only for… well, the hospitality industry… think again! Your customers are craving human connection more than ever – whether they’re staying in a hotel or buying a pair of socks. And genuine acts of hospitality don’t have to be extravagant or break the bank to have an impact.

In today’s episode, Donald Miller talks with Will Guidara, James Beard Award winning restaurateur and author of the new book, Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect. James shares how implementing unreasonable hospitality was key in leading to Eleven Madison being voted the best restaurant in the world. He also breaks down how you can start practicing unreasonable hospitality to grow your business and enrich the lives of those around you!

Order Will Guidara's new book, Unreasonable Hospitality, at UnreasonableHospitality.com or wherever you buy books. 

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PRE-ORDER THE NEW BOOK HOW TO GROW YOUR SMALL BUSINESS AND GET A PROVEN 6-STEP PLAN FOR GROWTH: GrowYourSmallBusiness.com

SUBMIT FOR YOUR CHANCE TO GET COACHED ON THE PODCAST: BusinessMadeSimple.com/Podcast 

GET YOUR CUSTOMIZED FLIGHT PLAN FOR GROWING YOUR BUSINESS: SmallBusinessFlightPlan.com

FIND AND FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: Instagram.com/BusinessMadeSimple

Pre-order Coach Builder, Donald Miller's new book, at CoachBuilder.com/Podcast and get an 8-step plan to become a self-employed business coach so you can make great money doing something you love every single day.

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Your coaching website is the first thing people see about you, so it needs to make a good impression fast. But more importantly, it needs to be all about the people you want to help. This means when they visit your site, they should feel like you’re talking right to them. It should clearly explain that you understand their problems and have the perfect way to help solve them. But most coaches are getting this wrong. So how do you create a website that makes it easy for potential clients to see why they should choose you as a coach?

In the 4th episode of our Coach Builder limited series, host Donald Miller and producer Bobby Richards, show you how to design a coaching website that helps you land more clients and increase your revenue. Don also teaches you the common pitfalls to avoid in your website design and messaging, as well as what needs to be included for your website to resonate with potential clients. Tune in and learn how to leverage your website as a powerful tool for building relationships and growing a successful coaching business.

To get the BONUS Coach Websites That Work PDF Don called out in this episode, go to CoachBuilder.com/WebsitePDF.

Most entrepreneurs are great at making money, but they aren’t always great at managing that money. Let’s be honest: you didn’t start a business because you were passionate about bookkeeping. But you know that managing your cash flow well is the fuel that keeps your business growing. Between monthly reconciliations, quarterly reports, tax prep, and payroll—your business finances can get complicated fast. And doing it yourself—or even hiring the help you need—can be difficult and time-consuming. So what’s the best way to outsource your bookkeeping so you can save time and simplify your finances?

In this week’s episode, host Donald Miller talks with Lisa Zeeveld, the CFO of BELAY, a company that pairs business owners with the accounting help they need. Lisa discusses common financial dilemmas many business owners face and offers practical advice on how to overcome them. You’ll learn the importance of good bookkeeping and how outsourcing this task can make a huge difference in your operations. Tune in and get valuable tips on how to make your business finances simpler and more effective, so you can focus on growing your business instead!

Text S I M P L E to 55123 to get immediate access to Belay's Bulletproof Budget Template.

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STUCK TRYING TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS? SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION FOR A CHANCE TO HAVE DON COACH THROUGH IT ON THE SHOW: BusinessMadeSimple.com/Podcast 

ORDER COACH BUILDER, DON'S NEW BOOK, AND TRANSFORM YOUR EXPERTISE INTO A LUCRATIVE CONSULTING CAREER: CoachBuilderBook.com/Podcast

IF YOU'RE SERIOUS ABOUT IMPLEMENTING A PLAN TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS AND REVENUE, FLIGHT SCHOOL IS FOR YOU! JOIN NOW: SmallBusinessFlightSchool.com.

FIND AND FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: Instagram.com/BusinessMadeSimple

First up is Part 1 of Donald Miller’s conversation with Ryan Deiss back in the spring of 2021, digital marketing expert and CEO of Digital Marketer. In this value-packed episode, Ryan breaks down a step-by-step digital marketing strategy to help you generate and convert more leads so you can stay ahead of your competition and make more money this summer. 

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IF YOU'RE SERIOUS ABOUT IMPLEMENTING A PLAN TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS AND REVENUE, FLIGHT SCHOOL IS FOR YOU! JOIN NOW: SmallBusinessFlightSchool.com.

ORDER DON'S NEW BOOK "HOW TO GROW YOUR SMALL BUSINESS": GrowYourSmallBusiness.com

SUBMIT FOR YOUR CHANCE TO GET COACHED ON THE PODCAST: BusinessMadeSimple.com/Podcast 

FIND AND FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: Instagram.com/BusinessMadeSimple

If you lead a business, you’ve got a huge opportunity to add value to your product or service. Trouble is, most everybody overlooks it.

On today’s episode of the Building a StoryBrand podcast, guest correspondent Allison Trowbridge talks with Gina Bianchini. She’s the founder and CEO of Mighty Networks and a pioneer in online community building. She’s helped countless businesses offer value in the form of a niche community where customers can share ideas and experiences.

She’ll show you how, too -- and why it’s important as the Facebook backlash grows. If the customers you serve have a motivation to help each other, don’t miss this episode!

http://buildingastorybrand.com/115

It’s no secret that COVID-19 changed the American workplace. Remote work, Zoom meetings, and using Slack for communication has become the norm and changed the way we do work as a society. But what does all of this mean for business leaders? The reality is, the skills set of a leader has changed since COVID-19, and so has the expectations of work culture.

In today’s episode, Donald Miller talks with Seth Godin, best-selling author, renowned entrepreneur, and Marketing Hall of Fame inductee. Seth shares insight from his new book, The Song of Significance: A New Manifesto for Teams. You’ll learn how the new landscape of the American workplace requires leaders who trust their employees, embrace turnover, and encourage collaboration and creativity. Tune in now to learn how you can embrace new ways to lead and so you can have happier, more productive team members that bring health and growth to your entire organization.

Order "The Song of Significance" at SethGodin.com/#The-Song-of-Significance.

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IF YOU'RE SERIOUS ABOUT IMPLEMENTING A PLAN TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS AND REVENUE, FLIGHT SCHOOL IS FOR YOU! JOIN NOW: SmallBusinessFlightSchool.com.

ORDER DON'S NEW BOOK "HOW TO GROW YOUR SMALL BUSINESS": GrowYourSmallBusiness.com

SUBMIT FOR YOUR CHANCE TO GET COACHED ON THE PODCAST: BusinessMadeSimple.com/Podcast 

FIND AND FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: Instagram.com/BusinessMadeSimple

As a business coach, you might have all the passion and wisdom in the world, but if you don’t have a clear, step-by-step framework, things can get messy—fast. Without a reliable system, helping your clients get consistent, meaningful results is essentially a gamble. You end up reinventing the wheel for each client which creates an exhausting grind for you and an unpredictable experience for your clients. So, how do you move from just giving good advice to offering a proven, repeatable system that guarantees results? 

In today’s episode, Donald Miller returns to share how the Small Business Flight Plan Certification can transform the way business coaches deliver value. This certification gives you a plug-and-play system to help small business owners grow, stabilize, and scale. Don breaks down his signature airplane metaphor, turning complex growth strategies into an easy-to-follow framework that works. You’ll learn how to guide your clients through every key area of their business—from leadership and marketing to cash flow and operations. Tune in if you're ready to help your clients achieve long-term growth with clarity and confidence!

f you're ready to turn your expertise into a profitable coaching business, head to CoachBuilder.com to schedule a call where we’ll answer all your questions and help you determine if the Coach Builder framework is the right fit for you.

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STUCK TRYING TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS? SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION FOR A CHANCE TO HAVE US COACH THROUGH IT ON THE SHOW: BusinessMadeSimple.com/Podcast 

ORDER COACH BUILDER, DONALD MILLER'S NEW BOOK, AND TRANSFORM YOUR EXPERTISE INTO A LUCRATIVE CONSULTING CAREER: CoachBuilderBook.com/Podcast

IF YOU'RE SERIOUS ABOUT IMPLEMENTING A PLAN TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS AND REVENUE, FLIGHT SCHOOL IS FOR YOU! JOIN NOW: SmallBusinessFlightSchool.com.

FIND AND FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: Instagram.com/BusinessMadeSimple

Last week's conversation was all about honing in on the problem you solve for customers because when your product is the solution to a problem, its value doubles immediately. But what if you're focusing on the wrong problem?

In this coaching conversation, Donald Miller talks with Adam Jones, a comedic stage hypnotist, about how he needs to rethink the problem he solves for his clients so he can always be front of mind and book more gigs!

If your business like an airplane, this episode is all about the right engine, or your marketing. If you are struggling to hone in on the actual problem you solve for customers, today’s coaching conversation is for you!

To book Adam Jones for your next event, go to SquawkLikeAChicken.com. 

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SUBMIT FOR A CHANCE TO GET COACHED ON THE PODCAST: BusinessMadeSimple.com/Podcast 

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A coke machine in the break room or a food truck party for your staff might sound like a fun idea. But the reality is – that’s overhead, and it’s slowing your business down (and costing you money). In part six of our seven-part series, How Your Business is an Airplane, we’re focusing on overhead. Sure, you’re going to have some expenses that don’t drive crazy revenue, and sometimes that’s okay. The answer isn’t to cut those expenses altogether – it’s to learn this simple formula so you know what’s worth your time, and what’s holding you back.

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Many artists don't believe they're competent at business or feel thinking about their art as a business might cheapen it. But whether you're an author, painter, musician or produce any other type of creative work, without steady cash flow, it's nearly impossible to get your work in front of the world. It's only when you think of your art as a product you sell that you can truly market and get in front of the right audience.

In today's coaching conversation, Donald Miller talks with Raj Lulla, an up-and-coming novelist trying to figure out how to best market and sell his upcoming book. If you are an artist, want to become an artist, or know of an artist struggling to get their name out there and create art for a living, you're going to love today's coaching conversation.

Find out more about Raj Lulla and his upcoming book The Caring House at RajLulla.com.

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TAKE OUR ASSESSMENT TO FIND OUT WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOUR BUSINESS AND HOW TO FIX IT: MyBusinessReport.com

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The most well-recognized thought leaders have one thing in common: an irresistible personal brand. But for those of us without a platform, it’s hard to know where to start. Rory Vaden, author of Take the Stairs, has worked with countless influencers to develop brands people gravitate towards and love. In today’s episode, he shares the keys to creating a personal brand that will elevate your status and help you win big with customers.

We all need to know how to conduct great interviews. Whether you’re hiring, networking, doing customer discovery, or even dating, you need to be able to ask questions that solicit meaningful answers. On this episode of the podcast, Donald Miller talks with master interviewer Dean Nelson about what questions to ask, how to listen, and more. Don’t miss this super practical episode!