Are you actually following a strategic marketing plan for your business? Many of us simply throw spaghetti at the wall and hope it sticks. In today’s episode, Tayler Hollman joins us to explore what we should be doing with our marketing plan, how to track our results, and what to do when it’s time to pivot. She also highlights how her company Enji has created a tool to help small business owners create a marketing plan with intention and stick to it.

Succeeding Beyond the Plan

Tayler imagined a life where she would always be in a classroom teaching—until she realized it wasn’t for her. She found herself always looking to improve things and make changes, which wasn’t received well in that environment. This left here dumping the plan she’d set for herself to find a new adventure. Eventually, she landed in the small business space as a marketing consultant. After working with a startup client, she started to explore her own startup, Enji.

Launching Enji

Enji is easy-to-use marketing software that helps you create a marketing plan in minutes and start making progress with the tools you need.

What does Enji mean?

When creating this new brand, Tayler knew she needed some outside help with naming, so she brought in Jillian Griffith of GG Copywriting. She filled out a questionnaire and gave a few parameters:

• She didn’t want it to be something that meant anything to anyone.
• She wanted it to be short.

Jillian came back with about 50 different names, and Tayler chose Enji. It’s a play on the word engine.

Is your marketing working for you?

For a lot of entrepreneurs and small business owners, they’re not making intentional or strategic decisions, and the marketing that they’re doing is accidental. It’s based on a gut instinct at the last minute.

When you’re marketing by accident, there is not structure and no way to measure the success.

The first step to marketing is to establish goals, objectives, and targets. This will give you something to judge your performance against.

Setting Goals for Your Business

What does it mean to set a goal and how do you actually establish them? Consider them as tiers or stepping stones:

• Big audacious goals (the dream)
• Realistic goals for a focus
• Objectives (with numbers)

The reason so many people struggle with goals is they set a goal, but aren’t creating objectives to getting there.

Setting & Tracking KPIs

When you’re tracking your goals, you will need to have KPIs (Key Performance Indicators). There is truth in the data—which is where these KPIs will play their role. If you’re not sure what’s working or wasting your time in your marketing, take a look at the data.

When you’re getting started, consider 6-10 KPIs that you can track. Your goals will guide you to know what numbers to track to understand success and performance.

You could track marketing channels, leads, inquiries, and more.

Shifting Your Marketing Plan

After tracking your numbers, you may come to the realization that it’s time to change your marketing plan. Before you make any rash decisions, make sure you’ve given a strategy or channel enough time. At minimum, give it 30 days, but realistically 3-6 months is a better length of time to test for advertising and marketing.

Once you’ve determined it’s just not working, you can either stop that effort or refine it, which is sometimes the harder of the two. Keep in mind that you don’t want to change too many things in your efforts, because once the results are impacted, you won’t know which change improved it.

Utilizing Enji in Your Small Business Marketing

Enji was created as a marketing consultant turned into software so that small business owners can actually have a fighting chance at managing their own marketing. The goal of Enji was to streamline your marketing plan, document it all in one place, and help you to accomplish your goals.

Some of the features and tools that set Enji apart from the rest include:

• Create a marketing strategy with artificial intelligence
• Develop a marketing calendar
• Schedule your social media
• AI copywriter
• Marketing campaign templates
• Metric tracking
• Brand file storage

Right now, their focus is on AI tools and integrations.

Unpopular Opinion

If you hate marketing, it’s because you’re not doing anything to make it better. Simply dig deep when things get hard and work through it. If you tell yourself that you hate marketing, you’re not going to do it.

Connect with Tayler

enji.co

instagram.com/enji_co

instagram.com/taylrd_designs

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The post Episode 150: Intentional Marketing for Data-Driven Results with Tayler Hollman of Enji appeared first on Laylee Emadi | Coach for Creative Educators.

Building business relationships and nurturing them into deeper relationships is one of the most valuable experiences for entrepreneurs. How do you do that though? Show up, make the friend, and nurture it. In today’s episode, I’m sharing my own experience in turning business relationships into real friendships, along with how to set expectations so you don’t get hurt.

Do you like this new format?
Every other week, you’re going to see this new snack size format, where I’ll be pulling from my real life conversations and sharing quick tips and thoughts with you!

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The post Episode 149: Building Business Relationships, Setting Expectations, & Making Friends appeared first on Laylee Emadi | Coach for Creative Educators.

Is now the time for you to pivot into education? While it may be a goal, timing and experience are everything! In today’s episode Maddie Peschong joins us to share how after almost a decade in the photography industry, she made the gradual pivot into education. Maddie is a brand photographer, studio owner, and business coach for brand photographers, who is actively building a business doing what she also teaches! Listen in as we explore what it takes to pivot into education and some hard truths future educators may need to hear!

Pivoting into Education by Teaching What You Do

As entrepreneurs begin to pivot into education, they often let go of doing the thing they want to teach. For example, wedding photographers will begin coaching other wedding photographers in order to retire from photographing weddings. What happens is they get out of touch with what it takes to be a full-time wedding photographer, creating less impact on their students.

Maddie’s approach is what I love to see. She is actively doing the thing that she is teaching. Maddie educates others on how to pivot into brand photography or grow their brand photography business while she is actively a brand photographer.

Not only is she still actively doing what she teaches, she’s also been in the photography industry for over a decade. This meant that she had years and years of experience to back her when she pivoted into coaching.

When you’re established, you have the experience and data behind why people will want to learn from you. If you can’t answer why someone should want to work with you, you shouldn’t be pivoting into education.

Scale One Revenue Stream First

Now that Maddie has diversified her revenue streams into her brand photography, education, and her studio, her advice to entrepreneurs who are looking to hit $100k is simple: pick one revenue stream and scale it first.

Through her own experience, Maddie has learned that her attention can only be in one place at a time. This means it’s harder to scale multiple revenue streams and opportunities at the same time. Therefore, if you’re able to focus on one avenue, like your photography business, you can grow so much faster.

The lesson here isn’t to avoid diversifying, but rather to build a solid foundation for one part of your business before you decide to pivot or branch out into other avenues.

Your Guide to Pivoting

So how do you know that you’re ready to pivot or what to pivot into? Maddie encourages you to lean into your own intuition. Be aware of your business and yourself and what you’re capable of doing in any given time.

Pursuing Ethical Education

As you begin to pivot, it’s important that you develop ethical education. There are going to be approaches to creating education that promise you quick and easy guidance so that you can pivot faster, but consider the type of education you want to consume. Nothing that was ever great was done fast.

Making the Pivot

When it’s time to officially make the pivot, there are a few approaches you can take. Maddie recommends bringing people along for the ride by sharing behind the scenes of the transition. You don’t have to make a huge announcement that you’ve pivoted, but instead allow them to see you explore it.

Audiences really enjoy seeing the messy middle. Even when you’re trying to build a clientele in this new adventure, you can specifically reach out to those you think might be interested. This may feel uncomfortable, but that’s where the growth happens.

Unpopular Opinion

There are so many creatives who would make fantastic educators, yet it’s not always the right time. Truthfully, you make your own momentum and you’re in control of your business. If it’s not the right time, don’t pursue it until you’re fully ready to take on education.

Mentioned in this Episode

Ep 133: Creating Marketing Content You Actually Like With Jen Olmstead

Connect with Maddie

maddiepeschong.com

maddiepeschong.com/rebrand

instagram.com/maddiepeschong

maddiepeschong.com/take-it-personally

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The post Episode 148: How to Ethically Pivot into Education with Maddie Peschong appeared first on Laylee Emadi | Coach for Creative Educators.

As we begin a new quarter of the year, it’s easy to feel behind in your life and business, especially if you haven’t reached your goals. We’ve entered a new season in this new quarter, including celebrating the Persian New Year, which is the perfect opportunity for a fresh start. Today, I want to bring you behind the scenes in my own goals and share why I use Q2 as the perfect season to dive deep into personal goals and allow my business goals to naturally unfold.

Do you like this new format?
Every other week, you’re going to see this new snack size format, where I’ll be pulling from my real life conversations and sharing quick tips and thoughts with you!

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The post Episode 147: Goal Setting for Q2 appeared first on Laylee Emadi | Coach for Creative Educators.

Growth comes in many forms, one of which requires expanding your team. If you’re hesitant to build a team due to limiting beliefs, trust, or unrealistic fears, today’s episode is here to help you overcome that. Ashley Ebert of The Abundance Group joins us to share how you as an entrepreneur can step into the role of CEO while effectively and efficiently building your team.

Effectively Free Up Your Time with a Team

There is a huge misconception and fear that leadership takes hours and hours from your day, when in reality it can actually take hours and hours off your plate.

For example, inn Ashley’s wedding planning business, Simply Elegant, she has built a 25 hour training program. She has run 100+ planners through that SOP and training program. Rather than having to train each individual person, they each go through the training program on their own, ultimately saving her thousands of hours of individual training.

Once trained, those new hires can go do the job you hired them for, ultimately resulting in more revenue for your business. The longevity of the education and training of each individual lives on for the life of their role with you.

Finding Someone You Trust in Your Business

Another fear that entrepreneurs have is finding someone you can trust that will impress you rather than wasting your time on people who are going to fail in the position. The truth is, your hires have to earn your trust. You can expect to hire someone that is going to just get it every time.

You can’t just give someone the keys to the kingdom and let them run with it on day one. You have to equip your hire, understand their skillset, and know how you work together.

This approach can be really hard for some newer managers, ultimately resulting in micromanaging. The way around this is to trust, but verify. Trust that they understand the role, let them do their job, then verify after and correct where needed. Additionally, you could use the “see one, do one, teach one” approach where they watch you, you watch them, then they do it freely. This builds trust both ways.

Team building and trust comes with intention.

Where to Start with Hiring & Delegating

The unique and powerful thing that entrepreneurs have is vision. Most of us are driven to make our dreams a reality, yet we get caught up in the everyday of owning a business. Most of us aren’t meant for those mundane tasks and are effected by the negative energy they bring to us.

Consider what tasks bog you down and take away your creativity and vision. Beyond the tasks you love and don’t love, what’s crushing you that you just simply shouldn’t do anymore? Take those off your plate and find an expert to handle it for you.

Humanize the Role

The unconventional wisdom around hiring comes down to humanizing the role. Imagine building a role that has a lot of different tasks that you don’t want to do, yet they don’t align to fit one person (imagine social media content creator and taxes management).

While the ideal may seem to be hiring a unicorn that can do it all, consider what happens when they leave? Instead, hire two individuals: one to do the logic role and one to do the creative role. You don’t want to spend money on someone who isn’t good at the work just because you only want to manage one person.

When you humanize the roles, you go beyond the tasks at hand and understand that the role has to fit a person—who are you looking to hire and are they a good fit. It’s not twice the work to be a leader to two people.

Encouragement for New Leaders

Leadership is a learned skill. People are not born as great leaders. Leaders are constantly growing as a leader.

Unpopular Opinion

Ashley believes that the fear around teams is completely fictitious—you’re bolting yourself to the ground with this limiting belief.

Mentioned in this Episode

Laylee’s Hiring Guide

Connect with Ashley

theabundance.group

instagram.com/theabundancegroup

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The post Episode 146: Building a Team: Stepping into the CEO Role with Ashley Ebert appeared first on Laylee Emadi | Coach for Creative Educators.

Are you constantly feeling behind in where you are in business, ultimately forgetting to celebrate your achievements? You’re not alone, as many entrepreneurs go through this. In today’s snack sized episode, I’m sharing why you should be diligent in knowing what you consume, avoid comparing yourself to other, and honoring your own timeline.

Do you like this new format?
Every other week, you’re going to see this new snack size format, where I’ll be pulling from my real life conversations and sharing quick tips and thoughts with you!

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The post Episode 145: Honoring Where You Are in Business appeared first on Laylee Emadi | Coach for Creative Educators.

When you launched your business, no one handed you a handbook that said, “This is how you brand your business.” We often throw together ideas and concepts that are generic and based on other brands, but have you ever taken time to uncover a deeper brand identity in your business? Rachael Curtis of Rachael Leigh Photography and The Brand Plan join us to share how you can develop a brand identity that doesn’t require you to sell, but instead allows you more clarity in connecting with your audience.

Are You Building a Brand that Matters to You?

Rachael launched her photography brand right out of high school, where she fell into the wedding industry. In 2019, Rachael began to pivot into brand photography. There were two reasons for this pivot:

1. She realized that weddings meant giving up her weekends and as she looked into the future and what she wanted for her life, she knew it wouldn’t be her path forever.
2. She really only went into wedding photography because it was a quick way in, but she couldn’t tell you why she did it. Yet her passion for building brands far superseded her passion for shooting weddings.

Between 2020 and 2021, she began testing out brands and fading out of weddings. From there, she began to have an identity crisis in 2022. She found that in every educational course or freebie she got, it left her wanting more—specifically in regards to her why and how to translate that into a brand that works and markets to ideal customers.

Thus The Brand Plan was born. It helps creatives curate a brand that sells without saying a word through rock solid clarity, and then rhythm based marketing.

Building a Brand that Sells without Saying a Word

While we love what we do, most of us really don’t enjoy selling. In The Brand Plan‘s 8 week group coaching program, Rachael specializes in guiding you through building a brand that actually sells without saying a word.

“People like us do things like this.” – Seth Godin

Consider the reality that you have a business that serves and that selling is also serving someone, it makes selling a little less complicated. By selling, you’re helping them to find transformation, find the solution to their problem, helping them realize their dreams, or find a solution.

Yet, selling can feel icky. But what if your brand was the magnet that drew in your ideal clients who needed what you have to offer. Rachael built her business around this idea that she’s so good at what she does, that people can’t ignore her. Rather than having to show up and raise her hand on social media, she simply has manifested her ideal clients through her brand.

If you’re wondering where to start, consider the following about your brand:

1. Identity: You have to be super clear on who you are and what you offer.
2. Audience: Who are you serving beyond their demographics; what matters most to them?

Phrases Rachael Reiterates to Herself & Students

Owning her brand identity and knowing her why helps Rachael to truly live out her brand. There are a few phrases she says to herself and to clients to ensure she’s being true to her brand:

1. Wherever you are, be all there.
2. Live the season of your life that you’re in to the fullest and be fully present where you’re at.
3. I am building a business that serves my life and not the other way around
4. I don’t settle for good enough. I’m always improving and I’m always reaching.

The more often that she reiterates those statements, the more often they show through in her work. This allows her to be transparent in her messaging and conversations, which ultimately attracts and converts her ideal customers.

Uncover a Deeper Brand Identity

As you’re exploring a deeper dive into your brand identity, it’s important to remember that you are not inventing it—it already exists. A brand is more of a work of observation than it is of invention. So how exactly do you begin to clarify your brand identity?

Start taking notice of what you do, what resonates, and what feels really great. Is something easy for you to talk about and does your audience engage with it?

Unpopular Opinion

Rachael has a lot of unpopular opinions, which she believes makes her a great brand photographer. Her number one unpopular opinion in regards to brand photography and brand identity is that we need to stop running to items and other brands to give our brand an identity.

Be careful in how you’re talking about generic items that influencers are creating with—you’re not trying to make it as an influencer, you’re trying to build a brand for your business.

Mentioned in this Episode

Katelyn James

Connect with Rachael

rachaelleigh.com

The Brand Plan

@rachaelleighphotos

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The post Episode 144: Uncover a Deeper Brand Identity in Your Business with Rachael Leigh Curtis appeared first on Laylee Emadi | Coach for Creative Educators.

We all have our own battles with self-doubt, because confidence building takes time for anyone at any age. Over the last couple of weeks I’ve been chatting with both high schooler and entrepreneurs about building confidence and I couldn’t keep my thoughts around confidence to myself any longer.

While I would never advise one of my students to fake it til they make it in their profession or education journey, when it comes to confidence, that is my first piece of advice. When you fake it til you make it with confidence building, you’re training your mind to believe that you are a confident person.

Do you like this new format?
Every other week, you’re going to see this new snack size format, where I’ll be pulling from my real life conversations and sharing quick tips and thoughts with you!

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The post Episode 143: Building Confidence in Entrepreneurship appeared first on Laylee Emadi | Coach for Creative Educators.

You have questions about the Creative Educator Conference and I have answers. In today’s episode, our 2024 emcee, Akua Konadu takes the mic to ask me questions submitted by our audience about planning and hosting the Creative Educator Conference! Listen in as we dive into fears, expenses, and what you can expect for the next round. Plus I’m sharing three tips for budgeting for large events!

This Episode is Brought to You By Kajabi

As a coach for creative educators, I know how difficult it can be to decide where you want to create and house all of the amazing content that you’re creating for your students. Kajabi makes it so easy to diversify your revenue, build your own brand, and turn your audience into customers and students. No matter your niche as a creative educator Kajabi makes it so easy to turn your skills, passions and expertise into enriching online courses, membership sites, subscription podcast communities, personalized coaching and more. Get your 30-day free trial below!

What was the biggest necessary expense when putting on the conference?

While there are so many expenses that come with putting on a conference, one of the biggest expenses that we ran into for the conference was transportation. Since we held the event off-site from our host hotel, it was important for me as a host to eliminate the pain point of getting to the event.

Three Tips for Budgeting for Your Event

As I shared, large scale events are a big investment and you assume a lot of risk when you host events. Here are my top three tips for budgeting for your event:

1. Understand what a budget looks like and know how to stay within that budget.
2. If you can’t do step one, bring in an expert (finance expert, planner, coordinator, etc.)
3. Be aware and stay true to what you set in your budget.

Building a Conference Crew

I personally couldn’t do this without my conference crew. Not only does a conference set up take a lot of hands, but it also takes a lot of brain power. Having additional people to contribute and help leading up to the conference is key in creating a seamless and successful event.

This crew was made up of team members, volunteers, and past speakers and attendees. When choosing these, I chose people who I trusted, who were honest, and who were a good fit to spend time with.

What scares you about hosting another conference next year?

Ironically, you already know I have fears and hesitations about hosting another round of the conference. One of the biggest fears I’ve face in the coming round is moving it to September of 2025—which leaves a large gap between the two events (about 20 months). Honestly, I faced the following questions:

1. Will I be forgotten?
2. Am I enough for people to remember?
3. Is this too long of a gap?
4. Will I be competing with more people/events in the fall?

Additionally, I want to make sure that I’m not just staying in my comfort zone and push that by being inventive and continuing to iterate year after year.

How do you handle things that are out of your control?

Not everything is going to run perfectly when you’re putting on an event this large, which comes with a lot of overcoming and releasing control. For example, we had some major weather issues that caused delays for attendees, it impacted special things we’d planned for the conference, and more. In many situations like these, I always want to look at it as people over profit—which can be hard when the money has already been spent.

My husband, Tim, always says, “If it’s out of your control, there is no point in worrying about it. Focus on the things you can actually do.”

When things didn’t go as planned, people stepped up to help out. Most people probably didn’t even realize it wasn’t planned the way that it was. No one is as harsh of a critic on us as we are. Focus on what matters to the attendees and if it doesn’t impact them, mov on from it.

Anything you would do differently?

There are always going to be more things that I wish I could do, but ultimately, there is nothing that I regret doing.

What can we expect for the third round?

I’m beyond excited for what’s to come in 2025! I have a dream list of what I want to do, but also don’t want to get ahead of myself. I will be looking at revamping the curriculum and schedule based on the feedback from attendees. You can still expect an amazing and fun event built of passion and dedication to our community.

If the Creative Educator Conference sounds like the right fit for you, make sure you’re on the waitlist for 2025!

Mentioned in this Episode

creativeeducatorconference.com

Connect with Conference Attendees

instagram.com/akuakonadu_

instagram.com/dollydelongeducation

instagram.com/torikelner

instagram.com/positivelycreativeinc

instagram.com/alexcollierdesign

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The post Episode 142: Behind the Scenes of Hosting a Conference appeared first on Laylee Emadi | Coach for Creative Educators.

I was recently chatting with a business bestie and discussing how what I’m doing in my business now is nothing like what I was doing 10 years ago. While this isn’t unique for business owners, many entrepreneurs are afraid of pivots, but also feeling like the choices they make have to stick.

Until recently, I felt a similar fear where whatever I wanted to pivot into, I held to the standard of, can I retire doing this? We don’t have to feel that way—we have the option to grow and pivot as our lives do. Listen in as I share my thoughts around this particular topic and why I think we should push back on the standards around pivoting.

Do you like this new format?
Every other week, you’re going to see this new snack size format, where I’ll be pulling from my real life conversations and sharing quick tips and thoughts with you!

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The post Episode 141: Why Are Entrepreneurs Afraid of Pivoting? appeared first on Laylee Emadi | Coach for Creative Educators.

We recently wrapped the second annual Creative Educator Conference! In today’s episode, we’re keeping up the tradition of having my podcast producer, Haylee Gaffin, take the mic to ask me all about the experience! Listen in as we discuss big changes, big impact, and so much more when it comes to hosting large-scale in-person events.

This Episode is Brought to You By Kajabi

As a coach for creative educators, I know how difficult it can be to decide where you want to create and house all of the amazing content that you’re creating for your students. Kajabi makes it so easy to diversify your revenue, build your own brand, and turn your audience into customers and students. No matter your niche as a creative educator Kajabi makes it so easy to turn your skills, passions and expertise into enriching online courses, membership sites, subscription podcast communities, personalized coaching and more. Get your 30-day free trial below!

The Heart Behind the Conference

While we saw so many big changes over the last year in the world and in planning this conference, one thing has remained the same: the heart behind the conference and the attendees.

From incredibly knowledgable attendees to the impact we’re building together, overall the experience and purpose of bringing creative educators together to improve their skills and provide them with the tools to become better educators still rings true.

Making Changes for Growth

Personally, I felt more at ease and relaxed during the event. During year one, there were so many nerves and while there were still some, I felt more prepared. I wanted to make sure everyone was taken care of, but I had the confidence in the event.

One of the biggest changes we saw this year was the increase in attendees—doubling in size from 2023. 90% of our 2023 attendees returned for year two, which was such a gift! This year was the next level of what we built in 2023.

Quick Tips & Lessons Learned

• Hosts can work with an emcee they love to alleviate some of the pressures of the conference.
• When hosting a conference, having the opportunity to set up the day before is so helpful.
• When attending a conference, arriving early gives you the opportunity to connect with others, but also helps prepare to handle delays in travel.

The Lasting Impact of The Creative Educator Conference

When it comes to educating educators, I believe it’s important to have a good blend of impact, inspiration, and action. One thing I love about this conference is the workshop style talks and when the speakers build in time to take action so that attendees can walk away with new things implemented.

An Attendee Fave—Late Night Lobby Chats

It’s undeniable that one of the favorite things of our attendees and speakers alike is the late night lobby chats. From deep conversations to business discussions, hanging out in the lobby and chatting with other attendees is one of our favorite parts of this conference.

Building Support Around the Conference

The Creative Educator Conference would not exist without the speakers, sponsors, and staff. It all boils down to are these people that can serve the audience in the room really, really well. Keeping in mind that the attendees are educators are qualified to step on the stage, it’s important to consider what they’re looking for as educators as well.

Special thanks to Kajabi, Planoly, HoneyBook, Flodesk, Gaffin Creative, Interact, Showit, The Legal Paige, Cubicle to CEO, Angelica Marie Photography, Peter and Bridget Films, Lane Love Paper, R. Love Floral, and Scarlet Rose Collective.

Laylee’s Unpopular Opinion on Conferences

While Laylee loves the work that comes with building the Creative Educator Conference, she also is very aware of the saying, “You can do everything, you can do anything, but you can’t do everything in anything at the exact same time.” This rings true for conference planning. She had to set a lot aside, ask for help, and keep an eye on her burnout status in order to plan the conference.

If the Creative Educator Conference sounds like the right fit for you, make sure you’re on the waitlist for 2025!

Mentioned in this Episode

creativeeducatorconference.com

98: Ethical Education In The Creative Industry

Connect with Conference Attendees

instagram.com/angelicapompy

instagram.com/akuakonadu_

.instagram.com/dahlia.orth

instagram.com/dollydelongeducation

instagram.com/heather.marie.leicy

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The post Episode 140: Recap Of 2024 The Creative Educator Conference appeared first on Laylee Emadi | Coach for Creative Educators.