LinkedIn tips, business tips, and marketing tips for coaches, consultants, speakers, authors, solopreneurs & small business owners: Enthusiastically Self-Employed

Hosted by Brenda Meller

Business Entrepreneurship

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214

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Enthusiastically Self-Employed is designed for you if you’re self-employed as a coach, consultant, speaker, author, solopreneur, or small business owner. Listen in for business , marketing, and LinkedIn tips , sprinkled in with stories along the way. Listen to Enthusiastically Self-Employed for education and insights to help you to be successful and support the love you have of your business, while also supporting your bottom line. That means growing your revenue, reducing your expenses, and optimizing your processes. Download a FREE LinkedIn Checklist: www.mellermarketing.com/checklists

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June 8, 2026Episode 21451 min

How to Repurpose LinkedIn Lives as Podcasts with Jon Gay - Ep 214

Repurposing LinkedIn Lives Into Your Podcast with Jon GayAs I was thinking about what to publish this week, I decided to go to my "Vault" containing a few years of LinkedIn Live interviews, and where better to start than this episode, featuring podcast producer Jon Gay who shares strategy tips about converting past LinkedIn Live videos into a podcast and why the advice still matters. Jon explains the basics of turning video into audio, why audio can be more intimate and memorable than video, and how podcasts create long-term, evergreen ROI. He covers key production tips: using a dynamic mic like the Samson Q2U instead of a Blue Yeti, recording in a sound-friendly space, doing a mic check, what to avoid drinking before a show (dairy/carbonation), staying close to the mic, and managing notifications. He compares Zoom with local-recording platforms, discusses editing options (including Descript), and outlines hosting, RSS feeds, distribution to Apple/Spotify/YouTube, promotion tactics, and respecting audience time. We also discuss DIY vs outsourcing, pricing ranges, ideal episode length, and monetization realities.00:00 Podcast Vault Intro01:27 Tools Hosting Disclosures02:34 Meet Jon Gay04:46 Why Repurpose Lives05:45 Jon Framework Overview07:16 Audio Versus Video08:42 Podcasting Growth ROI11:23 Mic Gear Recommendations14:02 Recording Space Setup15:27 Zoom Versus Local Recording18:02 Make Visuals Audio Friendly19:07 Presentation Day Soundcheck23:35 Mic Technique Proximity24:55 Editing Software Options25:14 Choose Your DAW25:28 Before And After Edit26:57 Descript Text Editing28:57 Podcast Hosting Basics30:26 Distribution And Promotion32:10 Follow Not Subscribe33:09 Respect Your Audience35:41 Audience Q And A36:10 DIY Vs Outsource Costs39:11 Ideal Episode Length42:07 Monetization Mindset43:29 YouTube Audio Tradeoffs45:43 Wrap Up And ContactConnect with Jon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jongay18/Visit his website: https://jagpodcastproductions.com/Check out my affiliate / partner offers here: https://www.mellermarketing.com/specialoffersOriginal livestream: https://www.youtube.com/live/-hhmFrbYC0A?si=EOGA7PJbJs2zTjjN Support the show**************************************My name is Brenda Meller. I'm a LinkedIn coach, consultant, speaker, and author. My company is Meller Marketing and I help business professionals get a bigger slice of the LinkedIn pie. Visit mellermarketing.com Let's connect on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/brendameller (click MORE to invite me to connect and mention you listened to my podcast)

June 4, 2026Episode 21322 min

Your LinkedIn Questions: Real Estate Marketing, Cancelling LinkedIn Premium, Podcast Marketing, and the New "Get Advice From Me" Feature on LinkedIn - Ep 213

I answer five community questions about LinkedIn and share how I repurpose Q&As into a podcast, blog, and YouTube video while keeping askers anonymous.First, I explain that even without deep industry experience (like real estate), the key is understanding audience mindset on LinkedIn and optimizing a profile to clearly describe services and provide a path to do business. Next, I advise canceling LinkedIn Premium if its features aren’t being used, and I note the premium tools I find most valuable, including profile views, personalized invite notes, and the away message. I then explain how to block or report irrelevant or offensive promoted ads. I also outline ways to capitalize on being tagged in a post that boosted podcast listens by commenting, reposting, linking directly, and networking with others mentioned. Finally, I discuss LinkedIn’s new paid consultation link "Get Advice from Me" -- a feature for Premium Business, why it may be intended to drive upgrades, and why it may not convert well compared to other profile link placements.00:00 Community Q&A Intro01:11 Real Estate LinkedIn Tips04:33 Profile Refresh Masterclass05:04 Canceling Premium06:19 Premium Features Breakdown08:36 Blocking Offensive Ads11:17 Podcast Shoutout Spike15:30 Get Advice Button21:04 Wrap Up and Contact Support the show**************************************My name is Brenda Meller. I'm a LinkedIn coach, consultant, speaker, and author. My company is Meller Marketing and I help business professionals get a bigger slice of the LinkedIn pie. Visit mellermarketing.com Let's connect on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/brendameller (click MORE to invite me to connect and mention you listened to my podcast)

May 25, 2026Episode 21231 min

Member Spotlight: 1-to-1 Coaching with Elaine Belson - Ep 212

Overthinking can look like “being responsible,” but it often feels like you’re stuck in your own head with no exit. We’re putting the spotlight on Elaine Belson, a self-authority coach, speaker, psychotherapist, and Army veteran, to talk about what really helps when you’re hard on yourself, constantly second-guessing, or relying on other people’s reactions to feel OK.Elaine breaks down her one-to-one coaching, including a 60-minute mindset reset and a 90-minute deep dive (plus discounted multi-session packages). We dig into the patterns that keep women trapped in self-criticism and people pleasing, and why building self-authority means learning to trust your instincts, set boundaries without looking for permission, and practice self-validation instead of using others as mirrors.You’ll hear memorable frameworks you can actually use: overthinking is like chocolate cake (comforting, but not a solution), the six types of overthinking, and why emotions are information just like hunger or pain. Elaine also shares the “Columbo” approach to growth (curious, not judgmental) and a powerful reframe for boundaries she calls the opposite of the golden rule. We even get into her story of joining the Army at 42 and what that says about choosing a bigger impact.If you want practical mindset coaching, emotional intelligence tools, and a clearer path to confident decisions, this conversation will give you a solid starting point. Subscribe, share this with a friend who’s stuck in overthinking, and leave a review to help more people find the show. 00:00 Member Spotlight Intro01:37 Meet Elaine Belson03:02 Elaine’s Background Mantras04:28 One to One Coaching Offer04:43 Who It’s For and How It Helps07:13 How Clients Find and Book09:45 Who It’s Not For10:38 Audience Q and A Stories14:16 Trends Overthinking Chocolate Cake16:10 Army Veteran Story Barbie Moment22:57 Self Validation and Mirroring25:48 Wrap Up Links and Community Events30:08 Final Thanks and CloseConnect with Elaine on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elainebelsonlcsw/Visit Elaine's website:https://www.theselfauthoritycoach.com/ Support the show**************************************My name is Brenda Meller. I'm a LinkedIn coach, consultant, speaker, and author. My company is Meller Marketing and I help business professionals get a bigger slice of the LinkedIn pie. Visit mellermarketing.com Let's connect on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/brendameller (click MORE to invite me to connect and mention you listened to my podcast)

May 18, 2026Episode 21110 min

Your Next LinkedIn Post Is Already In Your Inbox - Ep 211

In this podcast episode, I turn a real client email into a simple LinkedIn content framework that can help you demonstrate expertise without sharing private details. I also break down what to do after a post performs well so engagement turns into actual conversations, not just likes. • pulling content ideas from emails, texts, and DMs we already receive • anonymizing client context while keeping the lesson useful • evaluating a LinkedIn post using reactions and comments as signals • reviewing reactors for reconnection and follow-up opportunities • inviting second- and third-degree people to connect with a personal note • replying to every comment to improve etiquette and reach • keeping posts conversational so they do not read like AI • using fewer, relevant hashtags and keeping expectations realistic 00:00 Why I Published Today00:37 Turn Questions Into Content01:05 Anonymized Client Post Review03:00 Follow Up On Reactions05:12 Reply to Every Comment05:52 Sound Human Not AI06:44 Hashtags and SEO Reality08:07 Wrap Up and Call to ActionShout out to Podcasting Business School:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/podcasting-business-school/id1439327697 QUESTIONS? You can email me at Brenda at MellerMarketing.com. Support the show**************************************My name is Brenda Meller. I'm a LinkedIn coach, consultant, speaker, and author. My company is Meller Marketing and I help business professionals get a bigger slice of the LinkedIn pie. Visit mellermarketing.com Let's connect on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/brendameller (click MORE to invite me to connect and mention you listened to my podcast)

May 11, 2026Episode 21021 min

How to Curate Content That Prospects / Candidates Actually Trust - Ep 210

QUESTION: How do I curate valuable content that builds trust for prospects & candidates?This episode answers an audience question.00:00 Welcome and Audience Question00:15 VIP Email List Workflow02:00 Trust Building Basics03:14 Prospect Content Strategy03:46 LinkedIn vs YouTube Monetization07:06 Content for Candidates08:31 Organizing Past Episodes09:32 Podcast Episodes to Reference15:12 Turning Podcasts Into Blogs16:02 Blogs and Masterclass Ideas18:41 Testimonials and Social Proof19:24 Wrap Up and Next StepsPodcast Episodes Referenced:191: AI Can’t Do This: Answer Your LinkedIn Questions buzzsprout.com/2162051/episodes/18198338 184: How Speaking Can Help You Showcase Your Business and Expertise. buzzsprout.com/2162051/episodes/17940730182: This Week’s LinkedIn Questions: How to Get a Bigger Slice of the LinkedIn Pie. buzzsprout.com/2162051/episodes/17874958163: Tips for Posting on Your LinkedIn Company Page. buzzsprout.com/2162051/episodes/17148531132: Trifecta Talks (with Michelle B. Griffin and Michelle J. Raymond) buzzsprout.com/2162051/episodes/15914620118: SEO Tips for Entrepreneurs (with Rachel Lindteigen) buzzsprout.com/2162051/episodes/15465378110: How to use FAQs as content featuring a question buzzsprout.com/2162051/episodes/15400028Blogs Referenced:AI Can’t Do This: Answer Your LinkedIn Questions mellermarketing.com/blog/why-brenda-meller-is-better-than-chatGPT-at-answering-linkedin-questionsReminding People What You Do Is Good Marketing mellermarketing.com/blog/reminding-people-what-you-do-is-good-marketingAmazing Virtual Marketing Masterclasses to Supercharge Your Business mellermarketing.com/blog/amazing-virtual-marketing-masterclasses-marketing-with-mellerBlog on LinkedIn: Why Bother? mellermarketing.com/blog/blog-on-linkedin-why-botherWanna Grow Your Business? Ask Your Clients for Testimonials mellermarketing.com/blog/leverage-raving-customers-to-find-more-customersJoin my VIP Email List: mellermarketing.com/subscribe Support the show**************************************My name is Brenda Meller. I'm a LinkedIn coach, consultant, speaker, and author. My company is Meller Marketing and I help business professionals get a bigger slice of the LinkedIn pie. Visit mellermarketing.com Let's connect on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/brendameller (click MORE to invite me to connect and mention you listened to my podcast)

May 4, 2026Episode 20940 min

Member Spotlight: Go High Level with Carrie Saunders Ep 209

We bring on Carrie Saunders for a Member Spotlight and get a clear look at Go High Level through her white-label offer, Course Creator Suite, including what it does well for course creators and online business owners. We also talk honestly about platform support, pricing pressure, and what it really takes to move from tools like Kajabi, Wix, or WordPress. • how our Member Spotlight interviews work and why we feature members • what Go High Level is and who it helps • why Course Creator Suite adds curated training plus live Q&A and implementation support • when DIY setup makes sense and when done-for-you support saves time • pricing at $97/month plus usage-based email and messaging costs • how importing courses and contacts works when migrating from Kajabi • why the built-in CRM matters for tracking forms, bookings, purchases, tags, and lifetime value • a quick CRM demo showing contact records and pipeline workflows • upcoming Marketing with Meller events and how we handle calendar invites Learn more: https://coursecreatorsuite.com or info@coursecreatorsuite.com Connect with Carrie Saunders on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carriesaunders/ Support the show**************************************My name is Brenda Meller. I'm a LinkedIn coach, consultant, speaker, and author. My company is Meller Marketing and I help business professionals get a bigger slice of the LinkedIn pie. Visit mellermarketing.com Let's connect on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/brendameller (click MORE to invite me to connect and mention you listened to my podcast)

April 16, 2026Episode 20819 min

Charge for Your Expertise: Knowing Which Wire to Cut - Ep 208

Someone asks for your rate and suddenly your brain starts negotiating against you. I’ve been there, and I’m sharing the stories that changed how I price my work as an enthusiastically self-employed consultant, coach, and LinkedIn trainer. We start with the core truth behind value-based pricing: clients are not paying you to “cut the wire.” They’re paying you to know which wire to cut, and that comes from years of experience, pattern recognition, and results.I walk through how my LinkedIn coaching evolved from a $150 in-person session into a $750 VIP coaching package built for real implementation, including recorded sessions, a profile resource guide, and an accountability call. I also talk about what it feels like to raise rates, how to present a clean offer ladder during discovery calls, and why a done-for-you service should cost more when it demands deep focus and intensive time.Then we get into the messy parts: the moment a prospect told me my training cost “more than our lawyers,” how that objection stuck with me, and how I’d handle it now. We also dig into client boundaries, scope creep, and the “pain in the” clients who drain your energy. Finally, we talk about AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini, why their advice can be outdated, and why expert access is becoming the real premium in coaching and consulting.If you want more confidence in your pricing strategy and a healthier relationship with your time, press play.Subscribe, share this with a self-employed friend who’s undercharging, or message me on LinkedIn with the biggest pricing challenge you’re facing right now. Support the show**************************************My name is Brenda Meller. I'm a LinkedIn coach, consultant, speaker, and author. My company is Meller Marketing and I help business professionals get a bigger slice of the LinkedIn pie. Visit mellermarketing.com Let's connect on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/brendameller (click MORE to invite me to connect and mention you listened to my podcast)

April 6, 2026Episode 20721 min

No More Free For Free & Q1 Updates - Ep 207

In this episode, I share what changes when we stop doing free work that doesn’t lead anywhere and start building offers that respect our time and our audience’s goals. I break down how “No More Free For Free” reshapes speaking, webinars, memberships, and the way to plan paid events. Other topics include:• why we should stop apologizing for gaps and just jump back in • the “No More Free For Free” rule and what it means in practice • how we ask “Do you have a speaker budget?” early and confidently • why you consider stop doing free webinars, office hours, and masterclasses • my shift toward serving solopreneurs, small business owners, and teams with real budgets • how Marketing With Meller delivers ongoing value through monthly live, virtual sessions • how my signature program, The Recipe For Social Selling on LinkedIn, rotates coaching topics so members never feel behind • my goal of 24 paid speaking engagements and the lessons I learned from saying yes to a “free” gig • becoming an international speaker after UpLift Live 2026 in the UK • the Small Business Marketing Summit and the speaker lineup built for practical action https://www.mellermarketing.com/sbms2026Shout Outs include:Carol Dorsey (VA Services) https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroledorsey/Joshua Meller https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshmeller/Giulia Santos dos Reis https://www.linkedin.com/in/giuliasantosdosreis/UpLift Live Planning Team:John Espirian https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnespirian/Jeremy Freeman https://www.linkedin.com/in/businessbrainbox/Gus Bhandal https://www.linkedin.com/in/mguruuk/Small Business Marketing Summit speakers & topics:Pam Lippitt: From Hello to Success: Creating the Network that worked for youTom Wells: The numbers behind your best marketing decisionsElaine Belson: Why people overthink marketing and how to stopUmut Aslan: Building an ideal customer profile to move "from confusion to clarityLinda Brubaker: Ditch Your What and Sell Your WhyJudi Hays: Building a LinkedIn presence that attracts high fee clientsAnnette Richmond: Less stress, more fun, better videoNancie Steinberg: Getting media coverage without a PR agencyLori Jo Vest: Why certain AI-generated videos and copy fail to sellChristopher G. Johnson: The 10 minute meeting fixLori Vajda: How to lodge expertise in an audience's memoryLiz M. Lopez: Dominating your business success Support the show**************************************My name is Brenda Meller. I'm a LinkedIn coach, consultant, speaker, and author. My company is Meller Marketing and I help business professionals get a bigger slice of the LinkedIn pie. Visit mellermarketing.com Let's connect on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/brendameller (click MORE to invite me to connect and mention you listened to my podcast)

March 17, 2026Episode 20634 min

Member Spotlight: Team Training - Leadership Communication by Pam Lippitt - Ep 206

MwM Member Spotlight: Pam Lippitt on Leadership Communication & Team Networking TrainingThe host shares a new “no more free for free year” focus on prioritizing paid clients and members, then introduces a live Zoom “Member Spotlight” recorded January 27, 2026 for the Marketing with Meller (MwM) community and later podcast release.Featured MwM member Pam Lippitt of Pamela Lippet Communications, a speaker, podcaster, and trainer, explains her work empowering people to use their voice with concise, powerful workplace communication. Pam highlights her team training offering centered on leadership communication and consistent networking so companies present a unified message, describing how she positions training around retention, rehiring costs, and helping anyone in a meeting demonstrate leadership. Audience questions touch on entrepreneurs’ communication (sell success, not failures), AI’s role as a starting tool, and using AI to refine tone. Pam shares how to connect with her and notes her podcast Communication is an Art and a 500-download milestone.00:00 No More Free Work00:28 Member Spotlight Setup02:14 Meet Pam Lippet03:54 Team Training Focus05:48 Leadership Training Need07:32 Selling Training With Retention10:46 Workload And Priorities13:27 Trainer As Neutral Voice17:14 When Companies Get Sold18:34 Workplace Trust Shifts19:20 Entrepreneur Communication Skills19:47 Sell The Success20:46 Riding Business Seasons22:50 AI And Authentic Voice26:07 Using AI To Rephrase27:48 Old School Email Tactics29:03 How To Book Pam30:35 Podcast Milestone Chat32:01 Wrap Up And Next SpotlightsConnect with Pam to learn more: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelalippittEmail: pam@hillstreetgroup.com Website: https://www.hillstreetgroup.com/workshopsandcoaching Support the show**************************************My name is Brenda Meller. I'm a LinkedIn coach, consultant, speaker, and author. My company is Meller Marketing and I help business professionals get a bigger slice of the LinkedIn pie. Visit mellermarketing.com Let's connect on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/brendameller (click MORE to invite me to connect and mention you listened to my podcast)

March 9, 2026Episode 20534 min

Aligning Your Personal Brand With Your Personal Image w Andrea Walker Leidy - Ep 205

Listen to this playback of an interview with Andrea Walker Leidy about Aligning Your Personal Brand with Your Personal Image.As you're listening, you may notice some "quality" issues with my microphone, Restream, and audio-delay issues that caused occasional talking-over. I decided to publish on the podcast anyway, to be transparent and because Andrea’s advice is so valuable! Andrea Walker-Leidy is a Michigan-based PR and communications professional and founder of Walker Publicity, who helps people and organizations identify and share their stories through PR, social media, and branding. She has expanded into personal branding and style through her project Look On Purpose after clients repeatedly asked what to wear. We discuss aligning personal image with brand by doing self-discovery, focusing on how you want people to feel, removing “should” from getting dressed, embracing consistent signature choices, and auditing/purging closets based on what you actually wear, including donating or swapping items. Andrea shares how she handles on-camera wardrobe guidance, invites LinkedIn connections, and outlines her services.00:00 Episode Setup and Audio Notes01:37 Meet Andrea Walker Leidy05:11 Why Personal Image Matters08:19 Ditch the Should Wear Rules13:24 Closet Audit and Purge Plan15:32 Thrifting and Clothing Swap Idea16:51 Swap Your Closet Finds17:54 Thrifting Saves Money18:56 Style Questions Sparked20:31 Closet Consult Process21:27 Membership Best Friend22:51 Tech Glitches and Q&A25:49 PR Styling on Camera28:18 Connect on LinkedIn30:19 Services and Offerings31:53 Final Brand TakeawaysConnect with Andrea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/walkerpr/ Support the show**************************************My name is Brenda Meller. I'm a LinkedIn coach, consultant, speaker, and author. My company is Meller Marketing and I help business professionals get a bigger slice of the LinkedIn pie. Visit mellermarketing.com Let's connect on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/brendameller (click MORE to invite me to connect and mention you listened to my podcast)