Grow an Online Business - Your behind the scenes journey with the Minding Your Business Podcast team

Yeah, this one's a few days early. The key to your online business is to keep consistent when life gets in the way. This was a very busy and difficult week. CJ was tied up as was I. We were not able to do the podcast this week like we had planned.  Life got in the way this week. I do not like when life gets in the way, but the key is to stay consistent and keep going. It is easier to steer a...

The Side Hustle Advantage If you are just starting your business and can never find enough time or money because you are starting out as a side hustle rather than a full-time gig, listen up. Here are some of the many advantages to starting out as a side hustle. CJ Jolliff jumps right into the heavy stuff in this discussion about the advantages of your online business starting out as a side hustle....

Add Courses to Your Website Are you thinking you want to add courses to your website? You won't want to miss this episode. Aaron Jarrels and CJ Jolliff go over some of the best practices and ways to add a course or training to your website. You do not have to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars if you use a simple plugin for your wordpress website. I never thought talking business would be so m...

This week CJ and I go over the ROTW updates. A few weeks ago we discussed his newest venture into subscription based businesses "Roast of the Week. He shares an inside look into what he and his partners are up to in order to start this subscription based business as lean as possible.  Also we would love to hear from you in our Facebook Grow an Online Business Group . Please follow the link an...

Why is Story Branding Your Website so Important? People do not buy really buy products. They buy the story behind the product. When you buy a lemonade from a machine $0.50 feels like too much money for what you bought. But have you ever considered that paying $2.50 for a tiny little lemonade from the the child's stand at the corner makes you feel good for supporting your entrepreneurs? Why I will...

Online Website Hosting Options with CJ Jolliff In this episode I discuss online website hosting options in a interview CJ Jolliff from Infini Systems and Infini Sites. He discusses the difference between having a "hands off" and "hands on" approach when hosting your website.  A hands on approach is where you as the website owner wants to get in and build out your own website using their intui...

Launching a Subscription Based Business Online with CJ Jolliff In Season 3 we are departing from our old format for a new look at how to grow an online business.  This Episode is an interview with Christopher CJ Jolliff. We had so much fun doing this episode, I am considering asking him to co-host the podcast. CJ discusses the preliminary build up to the launch of his new business. I am speci...

The Consumer Behavior Series Part 4 Variety Seeking Behavior When consumers buy a new product, not because they were dissatisfied with the last product they purchased, but they want to try something new all the time. These are buyers that are great one time purchasers. They do not make great long term clients or customers, as they are always looking for the latest trend, fad, or change of pace.&nb...

What is Habitual Buying Behavior Habitual buying behavior are purchases characterized by uninvolved buying patterns. Consumers are not as concerned by the specific brands, but habitually buy the product type.  Think bread or cereal from the grocery store. If your favorite brand is not there, you'll often buy a different brand as long as it is the type of bread you were looking for, sourdough,...

Dissonance-reducing buying behavior This is the second episode in the four part series on consumer behavior. Dissonance-reducing buying behavior is when your customers question their decision after purchase. They will look for evidence to prove they were right and made the right decision.  Be sure to put enough information on your webpage, your ad, your copy, your group, wherever your clients...

#1 of the four types of consumer behavior: Complex Buying Behavior  We are starting a four part podcast about consumer behavior. We are going to dive into the 4 types of buying behavior you need to be aware of. How you can use your knowledge of the types of buying behavior to adjust your marketing approach. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast to not miss any of the four behaviors.  This...

Is it time for you to add another person to your business? Is your business needing more time and effort than you can afford to give it? Is it time to grow?  There are many things to consider while you are thinking about adding another person to your business. There is how you hire them to help you, such as an employee, contractor, part-time gig helper.  You also need to really think abo...

Increase Your Network to Increase Your Business To increase your network you need to do a few specific things: 1. Identify all of your different networks. Too often we believe we only have one circle of influence, as it turns out most people have between three and seven different circles of influence. You need to identify yours and give them labels or names. 2. Have a clear understanding of your c...

In part three of this three part series on how to increase business revenue, we discuss the process of increasing customers. It may sound obvious right? but all to often we forget to go after new customers by asking our existing customers to bring us new clients or customers. All too often we thing standard advertising is the only way to attract new customers. There are alternative ways to pay for...

This is the second part in a three part series on how to increase your business revenue. This episode we discuss and dive into the concept of selling more frequently by using subscriptions. Customers often forget to buy your product or service. Give them the opportunity to receive your product or service every day, week, month, quarter or however often you sell your things. People will appreciate...

This is the first part in a three part series on how to increase your business revenue. This episode we discuss and dive into the concept of charging more money or increasing the sale. Customers like to pay more for things they want. They only like discounts on things they do not want but feel they need. So if you are selling something (your product or service) that is something that people want,...

This episode covers the importance of branding your business. You should spend an appropriate amount of time figuring out what the message is you want to portray to anyone who sees your brand, logo, or marketing that do not know who you are. The font you choose, tells the reader something about you as does your choice of colors. Take a few minutes to look at the logos of the top companies in the w...

There is an enormous value in giving away small surprises. A small surprise can be something as simple as having your shipping upgraded for free overnight shipping. It can be something as thoughtful as a handwritten thank you note on the packing slip. Even placing a free sticker of your brand inside the package can go a long way toward fostering the relationship between you and your customer. Beca...

This week we talk about how and why you may want to play the devil's advocate with your customers. Research shows that doing so makes them not just more comfortable, but also more convinced in their decision to buy your product or service. When people must defend their decision, they often dig deep into their position in a defensive manner. This works to your benefit by allowing you to "attack" yo...

Give your audience or clients something to connect with by sharing your Brand's values. Take a stance on what you believe in or want your brand to stand for.  People will like your brand more and thus feel motivated to support it if your brand's beliefs and values align with their beliefs. Do not be afraid to share your beliefs and values especially on emotional triggers. You may offend some...

This week in business we discuss the ups and downs of the website. More downs this week. I didn't spend much time working on the website and didn't share anything online. It showed.  We also take a dive into reframing. We are able to change or reality by reframing our view of it. By changing the meaning we give to the things that happen, we are able to take control of our lives in a new way....

Divide and Conquer your audience, clients, and customers. That means give them a category or segment to claim and hold on to. People will divide into groups over the slightest things and then place great value on the label. Offer labels or different groups of customers if possible, if not use the niche you serve as your label. Offer them what they want and claim the niche with pride. People will b...

Don't make your clients, audience, or customers wait for something they can get right away, and even more importantly, Have your product or service eliminate a wait for them.  MRI studies show that the frontal cortex of customers' brains becomes activated when they have to wait. This is bad because this means they are thinking too much, this gives them time to talk themselves out of your offe...

If you are not following up with your leads, clients, and potential customers you are missing out on a substantial portion of missed opportunities. We often forget that we like when people follow up with us that we appreciate the effort and thought that lead to the follow-up. So be the one to follow up.  Be the one who is not afraid to pick up the phone and call the other person. If you will...

This week we discuss the psychological principle of being transparent about your strategic mistakes or missteps. Rather than trying to blame your mistakes on outside events or circumstances by admitting you erred, and are taking measures to right the error, customers will often respect your ability to accept blame and continue to purchase from you even after the blunder.  In the week ending w...