Coaches on a Mission

Hosted by Dallas Travers

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250

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Oct 2026

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About the show

Want to know how the best business coaches think? Coaches on a Mission pulls back the curtain. Host Dallas Travers coaches volunteer guests in real-time on their toughest business challenges. You'll hear every strategic decision, every question that cracks the code, and the exact moment a vague problem becomes a concrete action plan. You'll learn how to find coaching clients, build profitable offers, and create a business that generates consistent income while you listen to masterful coaching in real time. Each episode tackles real obstacles coaches face: inconsistent income, unclear messaging, fear of selling, scaling without burnout. Dallas brings creative intelligence and 20+ years of business strategy for coaches to every conversation, showing you not just what to do, but how to think like a successful business owner. Whether you're here to improve your own coaching skills or get the business strategy you need to make money coaching, you'll leave every episode with ideas you can implement immediately. Coaches on a Mission: Get inspired. Take action. Repeat.

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October 25, 2026Episode 24044 min

240. Valerie Fixes Her Bundle Strategy to Attract Real Buyers

Valerie has tried bundles and summits to grow her email list, but her dream clients, entrepreneur moms, aren't turning into buyers. My guest is Valerie Recore, who teaches entrepreneur moms how to get it all done, because being unstoppable shouldn't mean being exhausted. After four rounds of bundles grew her email list but brought zero paying clients, Valerie needed a fresh approach that works for her and her audience. This episode is all about solving the "big list, no buyers" problem. Valerie and I mapped out a new kind of summit that feels accessible for busy entrepreneur moms and inviting for contributors. We cut the time overwhelm, simplified the tech, and reimagined what a collaborative list-building event actually looks like so it's valuable for everyone involved. Let me highlight what Valerie and I worked through to create a sales-focused, sustainable summit for her business. Listen for the moment we test-run a summit theme with the Human Design example to see if our new framework holds up across different expert niches. Key Takeaways Format Follows Audience Constraints: Instead of defaulting to video or multi-hour events, design your summit or bundle around the audience's reality. Valerie's busy entrepreneur moms want 10-minute audio sessions they can listen to on the go. One Guiding Question Unifies Contributors: Having every expert answer a single, clear, counterintuitive question means the content feels cohesive and contributors aren't left guessing what to create. This keeps the event digestible for listeners and valuable for speakers. Volume Without Overwhelm: Spreading contributor content out, one audio per day, instead of dropping dozens at once solves the "too much, too soon" problem with bundles and drives list growth without scaring away the audience. Simple, Actionable Intake For Experts: Make contributor onboarding easy with just a few core prompts. Ask for their bio, the main problem they solve, and their favorite piece of counterintuitive advice to guarantee quality and consistency in the event. Permission to Opt Out, Not Burn Out: Build messaging around letting participants pick and choose what they want to try, rather than pressuring them to implement everything. This relieves audience overwhelm and positions the event as supportive, not stressful. Timestamps & Key Topics [00:00] Valerie describes past bundles and why her audience isn't engaging [05:42] We name time as the bigger obstacle than money for entrepreneur moms [07:29] Valerie suggests audio-based summit format, 10-minute sessions, and removing access deadlines [10:53] We brainstorm spreading out expert content over 30 days to balance reach and overwhelm [13:08] Dallas shares her experience running a public bonus podcast and what worked [16:02] How to structure contributions without interviews like pre-recorded audios with one guiding question [18:24] We pressure-test the "counterintuitive advice" question across different niches [21:55] Valerie asks about calls to action and designing non-overwhelming takeaways [24:29] Positioning the summit as inspiration, not a 30-day homework assignment [26:06] Planning landing page layout to support contributors and reduce audience stress [28:12] Valerie voices her biggest stressor: finding enough contributors and balancing life/business tracks [29:45] Dallas reframes contributor research: don't require an explicit "mom" niche, just relevance [32:31] Technology, intake forms, and picking consistent submission methods for experts [34:34] How Valerie can build her own trust during the campaign with strategically placed solo episodes [38:13] Should event access stay open or limited? Strategic timing for nurture and sales sequences CONNECT WITH VALERIE RECORE: INSTAGRAM: @strideproductivity WEBSITE: strideproductivity.com

October 18, 2026Episode 23940 min

239. Braden Shows Dallas How to Handle Tricky Trademark Decisions

Braden walks Dallas through a yellow-flag trademark search for New Era Coaching Academy and shows exactly how to weigh the risk of launching an offer before the trademark is finalized. Braden Drake is a California-licensed attorney and tax professional who works with creative small businesses and online business owners. He founded Not AVG Law and The Aisle Advisory, and he created programs like Contract Club and Unf*ck Your Biz. Dallas invited Braden on the show to finally face her own trademark uncertainty and bring listeners into the real process. Dallas brought her brand-new coaching program name to Braden, expecting a legal roadblock. Braden led her through a live trademark search, flagged what to watch for when a name is borderline, and explained how to plan for future business pivots. By the end, Dallas knew how to weigh the risk of launching New Era Coaching Academy before the trademark is finalized. Here's what Braden helped Dallas work through. Listen for the moment when Dallas admits she would be upset if someone trademarked her chosen offer name before she did, even though she thought she would be fine with a rebrand. Key Takeaways Trademark Decisions Are Not Binary: Trademark protection has gray areas. You can operate comfortably before registering while you test and evolve a new offer. Test How Distinctive Your Name Is: Distinctive or made-up words make the strongest trademarks. Most program names land somewhere between descriptive and suggestive, which affects your chances of registration. Weigh Your Attachment to the Name: Before you decide whether the risk of rebranding later is worth it, get honest about how attached you are to the name, emotionally and as a business. Know What Counts as Proof of Use: Proof of use is stricter than you might expect. Your screenshots need to show the offer name prominently, with a way to buy now. A waitlist page doesn't count. Register Trademarks Under Your Company: Braden recommends registering under your company instead of as an individual, for liability protection and to make a future sale easier. Timestamps & Key Topics [00:00] Dallas introduces Braden and the CrossFit-meets-lawyer backstory [03:23] Braden breaks down when to bother with trademark registration [05:05] Dallas names the fear of hiding behind trademark "research" [07:14] Braden explains what makes a name trademarkable: descriptive vs. distinctive [09:35] Braden shares personal experience registering different marks [13:03] Dallas realizes trademark protection doesn't have to be all-or-nothing [16:05] Braden runs a live USPTO search on New Era Coaching Academy [20:22] The AI search tool flags yellow, and Braden explains Dallas's options [24:22] Dallas and Braden discuss risk, attachment to the name, and ways to proceed [28:19] Braden explains how someone who registers after you can still box you out [29:09] Dallas details how her evolving program model affects trademark class choices [33:11] Braden explains "proof of use" and the waitlist pitfall [39:00] Dallas spotlights Braden's Contract Club for solo coaches needing contracts Considering a Trademark? Find out in minutes if your name is available to use at www.bradendrake.com/namescout Book a Trademark Quickie Search and have your name reviewed by a licensed attorney notavglaw.com/trademarks

October 11, 2026Episode 23843 min

238. Andrea Questions Her Coaching Prices (and Finally Finds Relief)

Andrea feels torn about her coaching prices, worried they either block potential clients or don't reflect her value as she builds her practice. Andrea Tessier is a high-capacity coach and internal family systems practitioner who helps ambitious women trust themselves to take bold action. She came to this session looking for clarity, wondering if her current pricing pushes away clients or if a price drop would compromise her values or undermine her expertise. In today’s conversation, Andrea admits she’s been swirling for ages about coaching pricing, feeling paralyzed between the urge to lower her rates to fill her practice and the fear that doing so is unfair to past clients or signals a lack of confidence. Together, we get her out of the pricing-overthinking loop and into an honest plan. By the end, Andrea lands on a new, intentional approach that makes her business feel lighter and more aligned, even before the new clients arrive. Let me highlight what Andrea and I accomplished in this conversation. If you’ve ever found yourself staring at your pricing page completely stuck, listen for the moment Andrea names her biggest fear out loud and how everything changes from there. Key Takeaways Use Math and Capacity to Set Prices: Instead of guessing what to charge or defaulting to what other coaches set, Andrea calculates a price based on her monthly revenue goal and actual client load so her business can sustain her life, not someone else’s standards. Intentional Decisions Clear Mental Clutter: The moment Andrea shifts from overthinking to making a values-driven, intentional pricing decision, the swirl of hesitation disappears and she feels clear about her pathway forward. Own Communication Around Price Changes: You can lower your prices or raise them if you have a clear reason, communicate openly with current and past clients, and offer bonuses or choices that honor their investment. It’s Normal for Pricing to Evolve: Your pricing can shift up or down as your business grows or your capacity changes. The key is making that change on purpose, instead of out of confusion or external pressure. Practice Fosters Belief in Value: Saying your new prices out loud, writing down mantras, and literally taping them around your house helps you own your decision and move beyond old beliefs about money and worth. Timestamps & Key Topics [00:00] Andrea introduces her coaching background and pricing dilemma [04:25] Shares swirling thoughts about whether to lower prices or change strategy [08:00] Dallas challenges Andrea to name what energetic alignment with pricing would feel like [10:06] Andrea uncovers core beliefs around money and ease in business [13:00] Conversation shifts from strategy to internal blocks and mindset work [16:32] Dallas encourages a 30-day practice for being present with resistance [19:37] Andrea gets tactical, sorting out her true monthly income and client capacity [21:28] Discusses potential benefits and challenges of lowering rates [24:36] Andrea wrestles with fairness for current and past clients [30:00] Dallas outlines how to use math to define fair pricing for both privates and groups [32:09] Andrea recognizes that a full client roster actually brings her joy [34:03] Navigates possible communication with current clients after a pricing change [39:03] Dallas helps Andrea see that past clients got real value for their higher investment [40:03] Andrea lets go of comparison to peers’ pricing and finds permission to test her own way [41:10] Recaps the concrete takeaway practices Andrea will use moving forward CONNECT WITH ANDREA TESSIER: INSTAGRAM: @andreatessiercoaching WEBSITE: andreatessier.com Get Andrea's weekly letters on self-trust and capacity at andreatessier.com

October 4, 2026Episode 23740 min

237. Geraldine Learns to Sell a New Offer in One Week

Most actors second-guess themselves in auditions, but Geraldine wants a launch strategy that actually gets her new program for performers off the ground. Geraldine Rojas is a mindset and career coach for performers. She came to this session with a new collaboration, a new program, and a clear need: how do you fill those first crucial seats when your launch numbers are nowhere near your target? Geraldine and I mapped out a focused launch plan using personal outreach and targeted email strategy, no chasing thousands of leads, just deepening relationships with the warm audience she already has. We worked through her real worry: does direct outreach still matter, or is it too much for a small team? By the end, Geraldine walked away with a concrete action plan and a sense of relief about how to tackle both the two-day intensive and the eight-week program without burning herself out. Let me highlight the launch strategy Geraldine and I put together in this conversation. If you want to know how to handle the awkward silence after "Do you have any questions about the program?", you'll hear Geraldine's honest reaction and the exact script I suggest so you never get stuck in follow-up limbo. Key Takeaways Personal Outreach Still Works: Rather than defaulting to big email campaigns, start by contacting your warmest leads directly. It builds trust and often takes the same amount of time as writing mass emails. Clarify the Program Audience and Problem: Get specific about who your program is for and what problem it solves so your sales emails and outreach sound personal, not generic. Divide and Conquer with Your Co-Host: Geraldine and her collaborator split their lead list based on who has the stronger existing connection, making personal invitations feel more authentic and targeted. Match Email Strategy to Buyer Types: Craft sales emails for thinkers, feelers, followers, and list-makers so every type of buyer on your list hears in a way that speaks to them. Seed the Next Offer Inside Your Program: Mention the eight-week follow-up early and clearly during the two-day event. Set up expectations up front and use live calls to highlight what's possible. Timestamps & Key Topics [00:00] Dallas introduces Geraldine's coaching business and new collaboration challenge [03:01] Identify warm leads and discuss program audience [05:06] Clarify what performers struggle with and the result the program offers [07:11] Map out the funnel from free webinar to paid intensive to eight-week program [08:39] Stress the impact of one-to-one outreach vs. mass marketing [12:07] Geraldine and Dallas break down how to split and contact leads [13:46] Create voice memo invitations and handle unresponsive contacts [16:06] Provide scripts for hard "no" and non-responsive leads [20:06] Switch to broader email outreach and discuss messaging differences [21:30] Sequence emails for different buyer profiles [25:55] Plan for closing the cart and optimizing the launch window [30:14] Discuss limitations, priorities, and what not to add to the launch [31:13] Frame and pitch the eight-week program from inside the two-day event [36:00] Brainstorm meaningful incentives for fast action enrollment CONNECT WITH GERALDINE ROJAS: INSTAGRAM: @solifecoach WEBSITE: geraldinerojas.com Subscribe to The Audition Method for newsletter and resources - https://auditionmethod.thinkific.com/

September 27, 2026Episode 23652 min

236. Ash McDonald Helps Me Unpack My Instagram Resistance

Dallas spent the last year circling the Instagram question: quit it or recommit. Turns out the real problem with her social media strategy was hiding underneath her resistance. Ash McDonald is a business therapist who believes ambition isn't something women ever need to apologize for. She helps high-achieving entrepreneurs navigate the psychology behind success, burnout, self-trust, and sustainable growth, and she's the host of the Shamelessly Ambitious podcast. Ash brings her honest, no BS approach to coaching as she sits in the expert’s chair and guides Dallas through an overdue conversation. Dallas built three six-figure businesses and knows every strategy in the book, but felt stuck between not quitting Instagram and not really using it. Ash helped Dallas see how full self-expression, emotional bandwidth, and a clear structure could make marketing feel joyful again. By the end, Dallas got the clarity and practical next step she needed: design a 60-day experiment to answer real questions about social media, instead of looping on an ill-defined yes or no. Here's what Ash helped Dallas work through. When Dallas names the real reason she avoids turning on her camera, Ash's response shows her the problem was never Instagram. Key Takeaways Indecision Is a Decision: Avoiding a choice keeps you “safe,” but you end up stuck in a frustrating loop that drains energy and clarity. Gathering real data through a time-bound experiment gives you enough data to decide. Self-Expression Matters in Social Media: When your content feels like busywork, you’re likely missing the spark of creative expression that drew you to coaching in the first place. A better question to ask yourself is "How can I share what feels true for me?" Capacity Has Two Layers: It’s easy to blame your calendar, but marketing that drains you often points to an emotional cost, like discomfort with visibility or aging. Track both your schedule and your feelings to avoid burnout and actually enjoy the process. Use Micro Experiments to Test Strategy: Committing to set experiments, like trying different content formats for a limited time, makes it easier to find your own answers rather than judging yourself for not following some externally imposed plan. Self-Compassion Is a Business Asset: Naming what feels vulnerable and treating yourself like you would your own daughter (or a client) lets you show up for both your business and your life in a way that actually feels sustainable. Timestamps & Key Topics [00:00] Dallas shares her Instagram struggle and introduces Ash McDonald [03:13] Ash frames the real issue behind indecision [07:18] Dallas names the all-or-nothing mindset behind her social media stall. [10:13] Real talk about aging, visibility, and emotional cost [13:33] Dallas describes “dance church” as a metaphor for living fully [17:32] Ash reframes social media as a creative stage [20:22] The experiment: how to test what actually works for you [26:11] Gathering evidence instead of just theorizing [31:08] Tracking data: closed loops, feedback, and feeling enlivened [36:07] How emotional bandwidth plays into burnout [41:33] Practical self-compassion as a business tool [44:22] The assignment: design a 60-day social media experiment [46:55] Micro experiments and redefining success criteria [49:05] Building self-trust in business decisions [50:12] Where to connect with Ash and wrap-up CONNECT WITH ASH MCDONALD: WEBSITE: https://ashmcdonaldmentoring.com/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/ashmcdonald/ Download The Soundcheck ( https://ashmcdonaldmentoring.com/soundcheck ) for 18 hand-picked podcast episodes designed to help ambitious women feel less exhausted, more confident, and more like themselves again.

September 20, 2026Episode 23542 min

235. Arthur Troubleshoots Marketing Without Overpromising Outcomes

Navigating how to sell coaching when your clients want external results but what you actually deliver is deep inner work is Arthur's biggest marketing challenge. Arthur Patton-Hock helps pre- and postdoctoral historians and humanist scholars create opportunities in and outside of academia. He came to this session wrestling with the gap between what his clients think they want (concrete job outcomes) and what truly makes the difference (how they relate to themselves and their materials). Arthur wondered how to talk about the tangible, “resume-building” side of coaching without overpromising or minimizing the critical mindset shifts his clients need. We walked through a real-world framework for rewriting your coaching offers and marketing so they appeal to results-driven clients—and still keep you honest. Arthur left with a litmus test for marketing that does both. Let me highlight what Arthur and I worked through in this conversation. We ran into a wall when Arthur described how scholars obsess over landing a job, but then panic if you talk about “inner steadiness.” Watch for how we built a messaging checklist that fits both mindsets, and track what happened when Arthur realized he was already offering practical outcomes, he just wasn’t naming them out loud. Key Takeaways Sell the Concrete Outcome (Honestly): Naming the tangible actions you do with clients (like reviewing CVs or mapping a networking plan) matters, but using language like “designed to” sets accurate expectations and keeps you in integrity as a coach. Make Inner Work Tangible: Connect the dots between mindset shifts and practical benefits. When you name how confidence and self-trust impact job applications, you turn an abstract promise into something clients will pay for. Use a Marketing Litmus Test: Every sales page, email, or post gets checked for three elements: a case for inner work, a clear tangible action, and a realistic intended outcome. This keeps your messaging honest and magnetic. Narrate Your Limits (and Why): Clients appreciate when you clearly state what you can’t promise up front. This transparency builds trust and sets you apart from competitors making wild guarantees. Tailor Your Content Formula: You can co-create content with AI, but always review it for specificity and add your story. A checklist helps you remember to translate mindset hacks into practical tips scholars actually value. Timestamps & Key Topics [00:00] Arthur outlines his work with historians and humanists [03:10] Arthur describes his two-track approach: tactics and strategy (mindset) [05:12] Dallas reframes why selling inner work is so hard [08:34] Naming promises vs. outcomes in a coaching offer [11:17] Dallas’s example from coaching actors with non-guaranteed outcomes [13:24] They analyze how to state the “goal” without overpromising [15:22] Arthur and Dallas outline the three-part messaging litmus test [18:07] Arthur discusses discomfort giving direct advice and accountability [20:04] Dallas shares tactical language for describing coaching benefits [22:17] Arthur tries his LinkedIn post using the new framework [24:10] They add tangible steps to mindset-focused content [25:55] Dallas assigns an action item: run all welcome emails through the checklist [27:14] Arthur recognizes he’s more concrete than he thought [30:11] Building prompts for AI-written content that cover all points [32:11] Arthur tests his new “what I do” statement out loud [35:38] They check the dream client power statement against the checklist [37:19] Arthur commits to updating his welcome email sequence and content formula [39:08] Dallas explains how “narration” filters out the wrong-fit clients CONNECT WITH ARTHUR PATTON-HOCK: WEBSITE: https://www.arthurpattonhock.com/ LINKEDIN: linkedin.com/in/arthur-patton-hock Get Arthur's weekly newsletter, "The Inner CV" at arthurpattonhock.com.

September 13, 2026Episode 23453 min

234. Megan Stops Over-Explaining and Streamlines Her Offer Suite

Megan wants to restructure her signature offer, but she’s stuck on how to package, price, and launch it so her neurodivergent coaching clients actually finish the journey. My guest is Megan Dowd, who helps enthusiastic overthinkers realign their business with the human behind it so they can understand their work deeply enough to stop overexplaining and firehosing potential clients out of a sale, without losing the nuance that makes their work unique. Megan came to The Hive after becoming a parent and navigating late-in-life ADHD diagnosis. Her goal was to reset her business model and find a sustainable way to serve clients who process differently. Megan came in with a strong vision for a multi-phase coaching framework, but struggled with how to chop it up into different offers, what to name each phase, and how to get clients from start to finish. I helped Megan untangle the pieces and together we designed a simple, streamlined signature program. One that lets her clients move at their own pace through foundational 1:1 work, group coaching, and into an ongoing membership, all while honoring her bandwidth and her audience. Most importantly, Megan walked away feeling clear and excited rather than overwhelmed by logistics and money worries. Let me highlight what Megan and I accomplished in this conversation. Ever wondered what to do when your signature system feels like too much for clients but you can’t see how to break it up? Pay attention to our back-and-forth about when to let the client defer joining a group cohort and why I advise against forcing multi-month commitments just to make your program “sticky.” Key Takeaways Phase Your Signature Program: Instead of juggling multiple offers, package your coaching system as a single program, divided into 1:1, group, and community phases. This helps both you and your clients stay focused on real progress without decision fatigue. Only Sell What Works For Everyone: When your method requires foundational work before clients are ready for group sessions, bundle those steps so everyone enters group work equipped and on the same page. Skipping this creates confusion and extra sales work for you. Let Clients Move at Their Pace: Build flexibility into your program by allowing clients to defer group participation or take self-guided steps during waiting periods, so they never feel rushed or left behind. Memberships Should Feel Optional, Not Trapping: Rather than locking people into minimum terms, make the ongoing membership opt-in after their core work is complete. Lower-priced, cancel-any-time models keep people longer and reduce friction. Client Support Needs Boundaries: Too much access to you can actually slow client growth. Instead, set frameworks for on-call support and be clear about when and how clients should use your expertise for copy tweaks and feedback. Timestamps & Key Topics [00:00] Dallas introduces Megan and her mission to help overthinkers [02:25] Megan shares why The Hive helps her manage ADHD and chronic pain [04:44] Discussion of motherhood, late ADHD diagnosis, and needing a business reset [05:55] Megan describes her five-step signature framework [10:07] Dallas breaks down each step for clarity and alignment [12:35] Megan shares the ideal way to deliver each phase (1:1, group, membership) [15:50] Discussing why the dream version feels unrealistic without an audience [18:20] Dallas pitches combining all phases into one signature program [23:05] Tackling Megan’s resistance to a single offer and pricing concerns [31:08] Dallas outlines a cohort model for group work with flexible entry [33:23] Megan refines the process: allow clients to defer group participation [36:40] They address how to move clients from group to community phase [41:27] Boundaries around on-call copy editing and support limits [46:40] Dallas coaches Megan on how too much support can backfire [49:35] Setting expectations for the final membership phase [50:23] Megan’s next steps: capacity math and support sweet spots [51:03] Dallas and Megan share their personal takeaways from the process CONNECT WITH MEGAN DOWD: INSTAGRAM: @withmegandowd WEBSITE: withmegandowd.com Sign up for Megan's newsletter at https://withmegandowd.com/.

September 6, 2026Episode 23342 min

233. Rebecca Builds a Referral Movement (Not Just Another Affiliate Program)

Rebecca wants to build an affiliate marketing program for her group coaching offer, but she refuses to settle for a typical, transactional approach. Rebecca Pickens helps fiction and memoir writers transform finished or almost-finished drafts into stronger, more resonant books by teaching them how to think like a developmental editor. Today, she's looking for practical coaching around scaling her SEE program with affiliate marketing in a way that fits writers, not just another sales scheme. Rebecca came in with great momentum from her spring launch but could see that constantly promoting to her own list had its limits. Together, we mapped out how she could build a meaningful affiliate program that’s both motivating for partners and rooted in authentic relationships, not just payouts. By the end, Rebecca left with a clear incentive structure and a practical launch plan that fits the slower, relationship-driven pace of the writing world. Let me highlight what Rebecca and I accomplished in this conversation. Pay attention to the moment Rebecca asks if VIP days actually motivate her partners, and how we turn that question into a flexible prize structure. Key Takeaways Design Affiliate Programs for Community: Instead of cold outreach, invite a small group of values-aligned partners who support writers at different stages, create a group agreement, and nurture cross-promotion. Set Affiliate Prizes for Real Motivation: Don't just offer commissions—layer in things like club membership, newsletter spotlights, visibility opportunities, and add cash prizes or a VIP day to reward real results. Simplify Launch Calendars to Avoid Burnout: Start confirming affiliates early, allow for a two-week webinar promo window, and create materials for both event and post-event moves so partners can promote in their own way. Clarify Metrics So You Don't Fantasize: Expect a 1-3 percent webinar signup rate from partner lists and a 10 percent sales call conversion. Set your registration and call numbers up front to stay grounded. Choose Prizes That Actually Fit Your Partners: If a VIP day isn’t a win for everyone, let the top affiliate choose between that or a cash prize to keep things motivating and simple. Timestamps & Key Topics [00:00] Dallas opens with gratitude and introduces Rebecca's work [02:29] Rebecca shares her transformation since joining The Hive and Power Groups [04:07] Rebecca names her goal: an affiliate program that stands out [06:13] Rebecca describes the type of affiliate connections she's seeking [08:48] Dallas explains what motivates strong affiliate campaigns [10:06] They brainstorm a collaborative affiliate community, not just transactions [12:30] Dallas shares her own affiliate program's prize tiers as an example [15:57] Rebecca wonders about prize ideas workable for writers and industry partners [17:49] Club membership, newsletter features, and tiered bonuses take shape [19:15] They discuss when and how to offer cash versus service prizes [21:24] Dallas gives practical guardrails so offer tiers don’t get out of hand [26:31] Rebecca and Dallas nail down the launch promo timeline avoiding Labor Day pitfalls [32:31] They clarify realistic metrics for affiliate campaigns so Rebecca has a clear goal [36:41] Dallas reframes the “overwhelm” fear and gives tactical copy advice [38:10] Rebecca confirms next steps and gets bonus access to Dallas’s toolkit for bundles CONNECT WITH REBECCA PICKENS: INSTAGRAM: @rebeccapickensbookcoach WEBSITE: rebeccapickens.com Sign up to receive Rebecca's weekly newsletter ( https://rebecca-pickens-coaching.kit.com/freenewsletter ) to get a feel for how she serves writers in her community.

August 30, 2026Episode 23242 min

232. Fatima Learns to Ask for the Sale (and Feels Safe Doing It)

Fatima feels stuck turning her loyal colon hydrotherapy clients into coaching clients, even though she knows they need more than just the physical work. My guest is Fatima Lowe-Williams, a poop coach who helps people have the best poops of their lives every single day. After years running a brick-and-mortar colon hydrotherapy practice, Fatima added health and life coaching to her toolkit during the pandemic. Now she’s back in the clinic, weaving together both worlds and wants a graceful way to invite her colonic clients into deeper coaching work without feeling pushy or awkward. Fatima has always connected deeply with her clients in the colonic room. Yet when it comes to asking them to step into coaching, she finds herself treating the ask as an afterthought. We dug into where this hesitation comes from and rewired her approach to sales as an act of genuine service not a burden. At the end, Fatima mapped out a concrete pilot offer and left with a simple, actionable plan for enrolling her first coaching clients. Let me highlight what Fatima and I uncovered and built together in this conversation. Notice when Fatima realizes that her struggle to ask for the sale is the same pattern she sees in her own parenting—and what she decides to do differently, starting tomorrow. Key Takeaways Sales as an Act of Service: Fatima realized that not inviting clients into coaching actually does them a disservice, since her expertise reaches far beyond colonics and helps people achieve lasting gut health. Start With the Easiest Next Step: Rather than overcomplicate her new offer, Fatima designed a 90-day pilot program using audio support and a few focused goals, so she can test her model and serve clients right away. Frame the Ask as a Gift: Fatima reframed her invitation not as a favor to herself, but as a way to gift her clients deeper transformation and healing. Let the Business Heal Old Patterns: By linking her reluctance to ask for the sale back to her childhood, Fatima saw her business as a place to practice and heal old fears in a safe environment. Simple Invitations Work Best: A short, personal audio message to her client list is all Fatima needs to invite her best-fit people into the new hybrid coaching offer. Timestamps & Key Topics [00:00] Fatima returns to The Hive and shares her brick-and-mortar story [05:10] Describes challenge of blending coaching and colonics gracefully [07:55] Dallas reframes the offer as a lifestyle transformation [12:02] Fatima recognizes her “optional ask” pattern from parenting [15:10] Discusses healing the fear of asking and linking it to childhood [18:13] Dallas proposes using business as a playground to practice bold asks [24:06] Paints the future vision: colonics and coaching go hand in hand [27:52] Shapes a 90-day program blending colonics, coaching, and simple delivery [31:56] Fatima gets permission to keep her audio-based offer simple [34:45] Dallas and Fatima script the reach-out for enrolling her first pilot clients [40:04] Fatima commits to the new outreach plan and names her emotional shift CONNECT WITH FATIMA LOWE-WILLIAMS: INSTAGRAM: @thequeentofthethrone WEBSITE: fatimawilliams.com Get Fatima's Crap Chat newsletter at www.fatimawilliams.com

August 23, 2026Episode 23134 min

231. Claire Stops Hiding and Sells Her Offers

Claire wants to sell to her engaged email list, but every time she gets close to pitching, self-doubt stalls her out. My guest is Claire Fishback, who helps fiction writers that have tried it all but still can’t finish their novels. She guides them to ditch rigid rules, rediscover the fun in writing, and finally complete their books. Claire came into this conversation questioning whether she really delivers on her signature methodology, the Creative Goblin Way, and why it feels so uncomfortable to sell her coaching. Together, we deconstructed her doubts, mapped four practical ways to pitch in her newsletter without losing her voice, and maybe best of all helped her see that not selling actually does her audience a disservice. Let me highlight what Claire and I worked through in this conversation. You might be surprised at the moment Claire realizes withholding an offer is actually unfair to her readers and the blunt language I use to call it out. Key Takeaways Let Selling Feel Uncomfortable: Waiting for sales to feel “natural” keeps you stuck. Feeling energy, even if it’s nerves, means you’re on the right track with your coaching business. Use Four Ways to Sell in Newsletters: Rotate between header, footer, commercial break, and solo-pitch emails to invite people into your offers without losing your unique style. Signature Systems Aren’t Step-by-Step Promises: Your coaching methodology is a flexible framework that offers clarity but doesn’t lock you and your clients into a rigid order. Transparency Builds Trust: Narrating awkward transitions (“commercial break” style) between stories and calls-to-action in emails is more honest and effective than trying to be slick. Unsubscribes Signal Growth, Not Failure: Losing subscribers after promoting your offer is a good filter. Preferring a smaller, buying audience over a large, passive list is a smart coaching business mindset. Timestamps & Key Topics [00:00] Claire shares her history in The Hive and struggle to sell [04:15] Doubt rises after clarifying her signature methodology [07:08] Dallas reframes client expectations about perfection [09:30] Claire’s experiment with vulnerability increases engagement [10:22] Dallas calls out fear of selling and permission to be “unnatural” [13:26] Signature system as framework, not a contract [14:26] Breaking the rules for newsletter storytelling and sales [18:15] Dallas outlines four tactical ways to pitch in email [21:33] When and how to place calls-to-action in newsletters [23:56] Planning solo promo emails without apology [26:40] Why unsubscribes don’t mean failure for a coaching business [28:21] Building sales habits into the newsletter workflow [30:36] Converting challenge participants into paying clients [33:07] Using your doubts and struggles as direct email content CONNECT WITH CLAIRE FISHBACK: INSTAGRAM: @mrsfish2009 WEBSITE: clairefishback.com Get mini-author coaching, creative inspiration, and pep talks in your inbox at claireLfishback.com

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