Business Tao with George Kao

“Tell me about your goals.” “Well, I want a business beyond my wildest dreams. Doesn’t everyone?!” In her voice, there’s a slight tinge of desperation. An unspoken, “I refuse to be happy until I arrive.” When I started my business in 2009, I was like this, too. Easily influenced by my business mentors at the time, I became uber-focused on external success. Becoming a millionaire, building a guru o...

I wish I knew this when I was in my 30's, my 20's, even my teens... Discuss here: https://youtu.be/xk7sAsmUE3I This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

These are values that drive my business, and what I hope will set the foundation of my client community. I’m happy to share these values publicly, with the hope that it inspires growth for all business owners. As you listen to each point, take a moment to reflect on how it aligns with your own values. I’d love any comments, questions, and even suggestions. Related blog post: https://www.georgekao....

I’ve been full-time as a solopreneur since 2009. I’ve launched many services, programs, and events. Some of them have been busts, getting few to no enrollments. My first reactions to those experiences had been discouragement and slight depression. Many times I’ve been tempted to quit. While I was in a state of discouragement, I asked myself: “What would I say to a client who was experiencing this…...

No, you don't have to niche down and constrict yourself like that. For us solopreneurs, it's about credibility anyway, not as much about niching... Discuss here: https://youtu.be/wwliMMN1FZA This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

Someone asked what I thought about paying $20,000 per year for a business coach... Of course, it’s fine if you’re having a very worthwhile experience, and if you are gradually paying it. My concern is when you’re paying a large sum and the coach is new to you, yet promising you the sun, the moon, and the stars. Many of us idealistic business owners are easily taken by big promises from authoritati...

“We often hear that we only commit to things we pay a dear price for. Today a coach tried to sell me a £20k program to work with him 1-o-1, weekly sessions for a year. And he justifies the price with the need to commit: if you pay for a cheap service you won't be so likely to commit to change. As a healer, I wonder if selling high price packages might actually help my clients stick with my healing...

Once a year I teach my business plan course for the coming year. It's my most important course and I require all my clients to take it, so that we can be on the same page re: effective & authentic business planning 👍🏽 What does the course cover? * In-depth training about the 111 business formula -- a unique strategy that I've been applying for years to build a thriving business. You'll learn...

I’ve noticed that many service providers who consider themselves “spiritual” often toss their spirituality out the window when it comes to marketing. They trust the marketers and ignore their own values. Not necessary for a successful, authentic business. In this episode I discuss how genuinely care for your people can be the core of your "marketing strategy". Discuss here: https://youtu.be/DEZK4O...

"Capture, Categorize, Calendar" is the core idea from the "productivity" side of my Joyful Productivity teachings. For a writeup of this lesson, visit: https://www.georgekao.com/blog/ccc This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

Here is the public description of the program -- www.georgekao.com/group -- you can use the link there to request an Application. It's quick to fill out. Once I receive your request, if it seems like you might be a great fit for the program, I'll send you the official application and private document with other details. 🙏🏼 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other su...

"There are only TWO spots left in the program. Sign up now!" …is the sort of marketing message we might receive from a conventional marketer. It seems to me that they haven’t taken the care to consider how the audience feels. They're doing it because it "works" to get those few openings filled. When they offer only 2 spots left, and yet the campaign is being sent to thousands of people, what are t...

Recently I’ve spoken to several who have spent around $50,000 USD on business/marketing coaching or trainings… and often because they didn't realize those marketers are selling to their trauma. Sadly, much of the persuasion psychology being used (and taught) in marketing – the stoking of fear, uncertainty, doubt (FUD) – “works” on people who have experienced traumatic backgrounds… I’m not an exper...

I'm launching a coaching program & community to help coaches/mentors/healers get (and stay) consistent in creating authentic content: The Soul Gym -- www. GeorgeKao.com/SoulGym This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

Clients -- you'll attract more clients (and more ideal ones) because the practice of creating authentic content somehow changes your energy -- you get more in touch with a deeper authentic power than before. Plus, some of your content will get shared and find new ideal audience members. Calling -- by exploring your ideas, experiences, passions and putting it out into the world, you discover more o...

Understanding the two energy sources that move your business forward... Join the discussion for this episode: https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=763920981598888 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

Coaches often tell me: “Because I’m not a consultant or teacher, I can't create content.” This is certainly an example of a limiting belief 😉 and it prevents many coaches from experiencing a greater potential that they could have as coaches. If you had a larger audience (created via content sharing), you have more choice – among your fans – of which clients you’d like to take on. You could raise...

...that "make" people buy? Over the years, I’ve become quite sensitized to this type of marketing manipulation. By listening to this episode, you’ll also become more conscious in your marketing, and also gain more control over your purchasing choices. I hope we can become more "childlike" in our marketing philosophy -- to be persuasive not by trying, but because we are innocently trustworthy and n...

My analysis of Simplero vs Kajabi, Podia, and a few other popular all-in-one platforms: www.georgekao.com/simplero This was a segment from my mentorship program: www.georgekao.com/group Comment here: https://youtu.be/sU3fPkzSfi8 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

Some marketing experts want you to focus on “list-building” or getting lots of “traffic”. It can make us start to do things that are inauthentic. For example, using “lead magnets” to grow an email list, or making popular posts on social media that aren’t true to our business or authenticity. What if instead we focus on serving the just right “people”, instead of always getting more “traffic”? The...

Many of us grow up hearing “You only get one chance at making a good first impression.” We are taught this when applying for schools, for jobs, and when finding friends and partners. It’s no wonder that so many people are blocked from their authentic creativity. I also believe this is why so many of us are not consistent in creating content, due to this deep philosophical limitation. Years ago I e...

I loved being interviewed by Leah Cooper for her podcast The Wellbeing Room. I hope you enjoy this special episode! Topics I shared: how I came to bring spiritual awareness to the work I do as a business and marketing coach what prompted the start of "Soul Gym" and how it has evolved over time the Spiritual Alphabet - my tools and values for wellbeing the evolution of the Energy Reboot practice To...

We become inauthentic when we try to persuade people. When you’re in the energy of trying to “get” someone to believe you and to buy your thing, it becomes too easy to say whatever you think the other person wants to hear. You lose your grounding and integrity. Instead, what if you sell only to people who will quickly understand the value of what you’re selling? Comment here: https://www.youtube.c...

Is LinkedIn useful for non-corporate professionals such as holistic healers and intuitive coaches? I took a survey of my audience of non-corporate professionals... Here is a summary of their responses: https://www.georgekao.com/blog/linkedinforcoaches Comment on this episode here: https://youtu.be/__EAw35qRH0 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get...

Check out my course on the simple process of self-publishing a book: https://www.georgekao.com/bookcreation This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com