Streamlined Solopreneur: Optimize your systems, reclaim your time.

It’s easy for people who live unconstrained lives to give advice. “Just meditate for 2 hours each morning.” “Hustle.” “Get rid of anything that doesn’t bring you joy.” The truth is that most people have some constraints to live by. Whether it’s kids, work, or other obligations, we can’t just drop everything to follow the latest guru. That’s why I like Conny Graf’s approach. Conny has many credentials, but the one I like best is “certified clutter-clearing practitioner.” And today, she’s going to tell you how you can reasonably declutter your life to turn chaos into peace.Want to hear a longer, ad-free version of this episode where I  talk about the chaotic day leading up to this interview? Become a member of Streamlined Solopreneur Accelerated. Top TakeawaysChaos is when you have too many things going on, a cluttered environment, and a packed calendar that leads to stress and lack of focus. Recognize the early warning signs that you're slipping into chaos, like feeling agitated or nervous.Be intentional about your priorities and learn to say no more often. Not everything is equally important - focus on the "glass balls" in life like family and relationships. Give yourself grace when you can't be at your best.Declutter your physical spaces a little bit each day. Create designated spots for things like shoes and papers. Optimize your environment to support your daily activities and prevent stuff from piling up.Finding peace is an ongoing journey, not a destination. Make small adjustments over time, reflect on what's working and what's not, and continuously optimize your life and business. Focus on progress, not perfection.Show NotesConny GrafAligning Your Values to Set the Right Goals with Tanya Alvarez ★ Support this podcast ★

Do you hate social media as much as I do? Some experts will tell you that you need social media to market,  but that’s increasingly not true. Gone are the heady days of Twitter, where you can tweet a link and people would actually see it. That’s why I brought on Emily Aborn, a Content Copywriter, Speaker, and Podcast Host. She’s also a wealth of information on how to market by making sure you have a great product, and much like her, a ton of personality. Want to hear a longer, ad-free version of this episode where Emily and I discuss the importance of a strong personal brand? Become a member of Streamlined Solopreneur Accelerated. Top TakeawaysHaving a high-quality product or service that solves your target audience's problems is the foundation of effective marketingCollaborating with others in your industry can help expand your reach and build trust with new audiences. Focusing on marketing strategies that align with your strengths, interests, and values can lead to more authentic and effective marketing efforts.Show NotesEmily AbornForget The Funnel Stop doing "Sales" and Start Having Conversations with Nikki RauschLeveraging GuestingPodmatchContent With Character Podcast ★ Support this podcast ★

I made an unexpected $300 over a weekend in September. And I know that doesn’t sound like a lot — but it’s money I didn’t have, that I have now. That is the power of launching messy — something my friend Stacey encouraged me to do, and what I want to talk about today in a solo episode with some freshly minted segments:One Big Problem: How to get over the fear of making something perfect before launching itOne Small Fix: Using Tella.tv to easily create videos as a way to update my productFeedback: Send yours in at https://streamlinedfeedback.comTop TakeawaysOvercoming Perfectionism: Don't let the pursuit of perfection prevent you from launching your product. Follow the advice of creating a minimum viable product (MVP) and iterate from there. This helps you get real feedback and make improvements based on actual user experience.Soft Launching: Consider soft launching your product to a small group of users. This approach allows you to gather essential feedback and make necessary adjustments before a full-scale launch. Offer early access discounts as an incentive for early adopters.Find the right tool for the job: I got so caught up in making it perfect, that I overlooked the real value of Podcast Navigator: advice and access. With Tella, I’m able to easily provide both to my customers.Show NotesPodcast NavigatorTella (00:00) - Welcome! (00:50) - The Big Problem: Launching (08:08) - The Small Fix: Tella.TV (11:22) - Feedback: Submit Yours Today! ★ Support this podcast ★

I’ve been thinking a lot about the notion of starting simple (or messy) vs. starting perfect. And while I definitely fall more on the side of “start messy and iterate,” there are a few places where you shouldn’t skimp. A good home studio is one of them, which is why I brought on my friend Junaid. He’s a “Home Studio Architect,” and he’s a wealth of knowledge. We talk about why you need at least good audio, how to improve your setup without breaking the bank, and the absolute non-negotiables. By the end of the episode, you’ll know exactly what you need to sound more authoritative with your content.Want to hear a longer, ad-free version of this episode where Junaid and I talk about our specific setups? Become a member of Streamlined Solopreneur Accelerated. Top TakeawaysStart Small with Video Quality: Don't let the barrier of high-end equipment stop you from creating content. Your smartphone is good enough to start.Lighting is Key: Optimizing your studio lighting can make a big difference. Understand the roles of key lights, fill lights and backlights. Experiment with different setups until you find what works best for you.Invest in a Good Microphone: For podcasting and video recording, audio quality is most important. You can find a great mic for $100-250, depending on your budget.Show NotesJunaid Ahmed7 Stages of Home Studio EvolutionWant to be a Better speaker? Do THESE things with Mike PacchioneMastering iPhone Video ProductionYour First Podcast SetupWhat's on my Desk? ★ Support this podcast ★

Recently my friend Justin asked on X, “How do you define success?” I said, “Can I knock off for a day at will  to spend time with my family?”The world constantly tells us we need to hustle to be successful – but that can’t be true. If you’re a parent, for example, hustle is just not an option. That’s why I’ve brought on Terry Toh. Terry helps business owners successfully run their side business while maintaining a full-time job. But as you’ll see, much of what he has to say can apply to busy solopreneur who may have other obligations – like family, volunteer work, or other interests outside of work. It’s all about finding your non-negotiable. Want to hear a longer, ad-free version of this episode where Terry and I talk about Silicon Valley Hustle Culture? Become a member of Streamlined Solopreneur Accelerated. Top TakeawaysDefine what success means to you personally. It's not just about money, but spending time on what matters most to you. Regularly check in with yourself as priorities change.Identify your single top priority and 2-3 key non-negotiables at any given time. Intentionally make progress on these each day before moving on to less critical tasks.Watch for personal signs that you're doing too much and nearing burnout, such as revenge bedtime procrastination or being irritable with your kids. Build in breaks and support.Show NotesTerry TohTerry on XTerry on LinkedinAligning Your Values to Set the Right Goals with Tanya AlvarezThe Checklist Manifesto ★ Support this podcast ★

Ever wonder how to make your podcast stand out in a sea of content? After a serendipitous conversation at Podcast Movement 2024, I uncovered a game-changing strategy that could revolutionize your approach. Spoiler alert: It involves segments.I'll break down why rethinking your podcast structure can make a big difference. We'll explore how segments can help you give more value to your audience, make your show more accessible, and even repurpose content more effectively. Plus, I'll share different segment ideas that work for both interview and solo episodes, ensuring you never run out of compelling content.Want to hear a longer, ad-free version of this episode where I talk about a cool new opportunity, and building community? Become a member of Streamlined Solopreneur Accelerated. And check out my other podcast, https://podcastworkflows.comTop TakeawaysImplement Segments in Your Podcast: To create a more engaging show, think about incorporating segments. Just like how late-night shows have defined parts, segmenting your podcast can make it more consumable and structured. You can dedicate parts of your episode to different topics or formats, such as opening monologues, interviews, and specific segments tailored to your audience's interests.Structure for Solo Episodes: If you're worried that solo episodes might become stale, develop a clear structure. For instance, discuss a main topic, then showcase an interesting tool related to that topic, and finish with an automation tip. This keeps the solo content engaging and valuable.Balancing Personal and Professional Content: For busy solopreneur parents, combining personal experiences with actionable business advice can create a relatable and impactful podcast. Consider dedicating a segment to how you manage parenting alongside your entrepreneurial duties. ★ Support this podcast ★

If you’re anything like me, you probably think about ways you can appreciably scale your business. Part of streamlining, after all, is taking things off your place. That’s why I brought on Joel Oliver. Joel is the editor for all of my podcasts, including this one. I’ve been with him since he was a freelance editor, and now he’s grown to have a team of editors to help him work on more shows. Listen in as we discuss structuring the business to stay a solopreneurship, while also creating processes that seamlessly hand off tasks to team members. We’ll talk about everything from picking tasks to delegate, to training! Want to hear a longer, ad-free version of this episode where Joel and I talk about what it's like editing my process and adding video? Become a member of Streamlined Solopreneur Accelerated. Top TakeawaysDelegate to Scale: As a solopreneur, it's crucial to delegate tasks that are not central to your core business functions. This frees up time to focus on strategic activities and growth.Creating systems and processes is vital for effective delegation. Use checklists and workflow systems to ensure tasks are completed consistently and to a high standard. This approach helps maintain quality control and accountability among team members.Mindset of Letting Go: Letting go of tasks and trusting others to handle them is a significant mindset shift for solopreneurs. Show NotesJoel OliverDescriptSometimes You Need to Fire Everyone and Start from Scratch with Jordan Eaton Talkroute: Visit streamlined.fm/talkroute for 20% off your first year ★ Support this podcast ★

It’s the end of the summer and the end of our experiment to keep our kids home instead of sending them to summer camp. So today I’m going to answer 3 questions: 1. How did it go (including giving it a grade)2. Was it worth it? (and if yes, would it have made it **not** worth it) 3. Will we do it again? In Accelerated, I talk about why I want to create a more scalable business while remaining a solopreneur, and we do a time-tracking check-in. Sign up to get ad-free, extended episodes early over at https://streamlined.fm/joinTakeawaysKnow your schedule & build in time for unknowns. I felt overwhelmed because I didn’t have any margin in my schedule- Save some extra money. I know we saved money by not spending it, but that’s different from having extra money in the bank. Having kids home means having to entertain them —so have a budget for that!- Cherish the time you have time. I’m reminded that as another kid enters full-time school, they are now out of the house for most of their waking hours each week. Talkroute: Visit streamlined.fm/talkroute for 20% off your first year ★ Support this podcast ★

I think failing to give a good presentation is an incredibly missed opportunity. You have everything: a captive audience, borrowed credibility, and a place to deliver your message your way. But there are a lot of places where your presentation can fall down. Most people will focus on not capturing the audience quickly enough, or pacing. Maybe not rehearsing. But what about your slides? The actual visual part of your presentation. The visual storytelling is as important as the words you deliver. Not enough context? Your audience is lost. Too much text? Your audience is too busy reading to hear your message. That’s why I decided to have Emily Schneider on the show. She’s a visual storyteller, and her canvas is PowerPoint presentations. Intrigued? I was too. Want to hear a longer, ad-free version of this episode where I take Emily’s advice and roast my own recent talk slides? Become a member of Streamlined Solopreneur Accelerated. Top TakeawaysStart with the Audience: Understand who your audience is and what you want them to think, feel, and do by the end of your presentation. This is crucial for making a meaningful impact.Craft a Compelling Story: Begin with the end in mind and structure your presentation around a clear storytelling arc. Focus on the challenge, benefits, and reinforcing the main message.Balance Images and Words: Use simple words or short sentences, and stylize your slides to naturally guide your audience through your story. This approach is effective not just for live presentations but also for pitch decks and emailed presentations.Show NotesEmily Schneider4 Simple Tips for Impactful PresentationsThe Go GiverWant to be a Better Speaker? Do THESE Things with Mike Pacchione Talkroute: Visit streamlined.fm/talkroute for 20% off your first yearGet started with Clariti for just $1 your first month with code SOLO2024 ★ Support this podcast ★

Do you have offerings for people at any level of their journey? That’s the importance of having a well-defined product ladder. A product ladder provides multiple offerings at different price points and levels of engagement to meet potential customers where they are at.Today I’ll talk about how I have struggled with this in my own business, with offerings that didn’t clearly communicate how I help my specific target audience of busy solopreneurs with podcasts.Then, I give you a walk through (walk-up?) of my Product Ladder!Want to hear my poke holes in my product ladder and give a general update on Podcast Navigator and my business? You can become a member over at https://streamlined.fm/joinTop TakeawaysAs a solopreneur, it's important to have multiple offerings at different price points to avoid putting all your eggs in one basket. Some offerings should be scalable and not require a lot of your time.Your product ladder should clearly communicate how you help your specific target audience and micro-segments achieve their goals. Be focused rather than trying to be everything to everyone.Map out your product ladder from low-priced "assistance" offerings like courses, to mid-priced "accountability" offerings like group coaching, to high-priced "acceleration" offerings like done-for-you services. Have something for customers at every stage.Your core offering that you want to sell the most should be in the middle of your product ladder. For me, that's my Podcast Navigator tool.Constantly evaluate and refine your product ladder based on customer feedback and your business goals as a solopreneur. Don't be afraid to make adjustments as you gain more clarity.Show NotesPodcast NavigatorMy Home Page, where most of product liveChris Lema’s blog post on Product Ladders Talkroute: Visit streamlined.fm/talkroute for 20% off your first yearGet started with Clariti for just $1 your first month with code SOLO2024 ★ Support this podcast ★