Growing a Thought Leader Brand with Jason Van Orden

SHOWNOTES

Today’s podcast is a full circle moment for me. Years ago, I listened to Jason’s first podcast before the Front Row was in existence! I learned so much from him then so it’s a treat to have him on the podcast today. 

Like many of us, he didn’t set out to be a marketing expert. It started with a need to promote his band. He figured out what worked and soon found himself helping others. His story is inspiring, and this episode is filled with actionable information. 

Here are just a few of the things we covered: 

• The power of information marketing.

• Jason shares 4 ways he found clients pre-social media, pre-email list. The best part is some of these strategies carry over to today’s methods.

• Find out how to translate your unique brilliance with Jason’s formula; Position, Platform and Product.

• How to distill your message so it’s compelling, unique and clear to your audience.

• The best way to align your marketing approach with your skills and abilities.

• Find out why shared meaning, shared value and shared stories are so powerful. (Don’t miss this - it’s the key to creating marketing that truly inspires!)

• Jason breaks down why we under-value our strengths and explains why embracing them is key to creating an impact. (game-changer!)

• Get Jason’s insight about taking time to think and create. This is a huge shift in how to look at giving away content.

• Find out why understanding frameworks is so powerful. 

This podcast episode is packed with great insights from Jason. He has a great way of framing how to step into your expertise. I know you’ll get a few aha’s when you listen in. 

Be sure to check out his new podcast linked below. 

Jason’s Podcast: Impact: How to Grow Your Thought Leadership Brand and Business

Jason’s Website

LinkedIn Strategies with Judi Fox

SHOWNOTES

Be ready to take notes when you listen to today’s episode! My guest Judi Fox shares her incredible LinkedIn strategy and it’s AMAZING. 

Listen, take notes then take action! 

There’s so much good info in this episode – here are a few of the highlights: 

• Leadership by listening. This will change how you think about commenting and posting your own content

• Get the latest info on LinkedIn Live and Judi’s experience with it so far. 

• What to do when posting on LinkedIn. The exact formula!

• Company pages. Judi shares why you want one and how to make it work for you.

• What content works where on LinkedIn. (Seriously valuable info!)

• LinkedIn in-box strategy. The good, the bad and how to manage it.

• Judi’s brilliant solution: The best way for us to start this connection is through the public comments on the platform. Go follow my hashtag #foxrocks and I’ll see you online in the comments.

• Hear why you should have a personal hashtag and the best way to use it.

• Using LinkedIn DM without being obnoxious is possible. Judie shares 2 ways that work! 

Create a LinkedIn profile that makes you $$ while you’re sleeping. For real. Judi generously shares her strategy that you can make your own. These are just the highlights. There’s much more on messaging strategies, how this can also help you on Instagram, why images work so well (and the exact type) and more. 

Here’s how to connect with Judi: 

Application process that leads to a 30-minute call

Website 

LinkedIn

Follow Judi’s hashtag on LinkedIn #FoxRocks

The Front Row CEO Content Planning System

SHOWNOTES

You’re going to love today’s episode. I’m sharing the Front Row CEO Content Planning System. You’ll see how I create 3 months of content in just a couple of hours. 

If you follow the plan that I’m breaking down in this podcast you will never have to worry about what to post, or how to show up. 

You’ll be consistent and you’ll always know what’s happening each day. That may be the best part of all, the clarity. (And the results!) 

Here’s what I cover: 

• How to determine your themes 

• The best way to support your upcoming promotions

• Anchor content – what is it and how to create it

• Micro-content and why it’s going to make your life super easy

I also cover how to determine what goes where. Literally how to put this on the calendar or your content management software so it’s ready to go. 

Get the C E O content formula. 

• Connection content – find out why it’s so important 

• Expert content – see how to use this to position yourself as the expert

• Original content – great ideas to help your audience see the real you 

Imagine how nice it would be to see more engagement while spending less time planning and creating content. This system will do that for you!

RESOURCES

Get the Content Planning Worksheets: Text: CEOCONTENT to 44222

Front Row CEO Planner (because sometimes nothing beats pen and paper!)

Get your March content planner!

What Kind of CEO Are You?

I recorded this episode with you in mind. After working in the entrepreneurial and online marketing space for several years I recognized a pattern. First in my own business, and then with clients. No matter what type of business, or what field of expertise I saw the same struggles. 

Are you a solopreneur or a CEO?

Are you the queen of doing it all? This was me at one point in my business. I’m sure you’ll see some similarities. 

Are you successful but stuck and feeling swamped? It’s more common that you might realize. I’m breaking that down as well. 

Maybe your business is a series of on again/off again cycles. How do you find the way to a regular sustained income? I’ve got the answer.

Why I know this will help you. 

Hire your VA. A professional who can become a partner in your business and help you grow. That’s the next step.

Listen to this episode and hear why this is the right time. There’s always a reason not to. Now let me explain why you should. 

My team (I love saying I have a team!) and I figured out how you can find the exact right person (or people) that will help you get back to the work only you can do. 

Find out why I know this will work for you. Not in theory, not in the hazy some day future. Right now. 

RESOURCES

How to Know When It’s Time to Hire

Jen and Neeca Share How They’ve Created a True Partnership

Neeca has been working with Jen for 4 years. She’s well known in the Front Row community. You’ll find her answering questions, sharing resources and being her lovely helpful self. 

Jen crowdsourced the questions and the Front Row community did not disappoint. 

Here’s what they covered: 

• Some many people want to find their own Neeca so naturally Jen asked her if she has a twin. 

•  Neeca breaks down how she and Jen deal with the time difference and why it works for them. 

• Find out why Neeca enjoys her job so much. 

• Hear how Jen recognized the connection Neeca has with the community. (It was a happy surprise!) 

• Get Neeca’s backstory about her previous work life.

VA related questions: 

• Neeca shares her best advice for hiring. This is super helpful!

• She relays a significant cultural difference that will help you create the best methods for communication. Tip: This is covered in a Bonus training for those who graduate from the Front Row CEO course. No one else is doing anything like this. Game changer!

• Get the inside scoop on what not to do when hiring. (So helpful) 

• Find out why Neeca loves working with Jen.

• Jen shares the one thing (among many) that Neeca handles that makes the biggest difference.

• You’ll love hearing how Neeca tried to find a member in the big Front Row when she first started. (Jen didn’t even know this one!) 

• Great tips from Neeca on how to show appreciation for your VA. (It’s not just about the paycheck) 

• This will come as no surprise, but good communication is key. 

Neeca’s friends and family know Jen too. This is a great share about how they support her and are happy she’s doing work she loves to do. This is a fun interview and a must for anyone who wants to find their own “Neeca”. 

RESOURCES

Kajabi 

Front Row CEO

Calendly

Acuity

Jen’s Flash Briefing

Trello

Voxer

Udemy

Coursera

Skillshare

Yes, a Control Freak Can Find the Perfect Virtual Assistant with Belinda Wasser

Belinda Wasser (self-confessed control freak) talks to Jen about hiring her first VA. She wasn’t sure that any of this would work for her. Following the process outlined in the Front Row CEO program made the difference. 

Belinda shares how things started:

• She used a test week to make sure her VA would be a good fit 

• Get her suggestions for the tasks to assign that make an impact without worry

• Using videos helped to make sure she was communicating exactly what she needed as part of VA training

Get the breakdown on 3 specific processes that Belinda created that her VA implements. Repeat tasks that used to take hours, now feel automatic. A key benefit: her VA was able to get up to speed on her content, voice and messaging from the beginning. 

Other projects that Brenda has in the works: 

• Periscope research and process development

• YouTube updates based on a content template

• Social media posting/scheduling

Jen and Belinda discuss the time difference and how that works. Hear how they keep track of projects and how they’ve developed a process flow for each day. (Copy this and make it your own.)

Belinda has used her videos and Teamwork to create a knowledge library. She also outlines 2 other benefits that were completely unexpected and delightful.

Taking the Front Row CEO course to hire her VA has been a huge help. More than anything, Belinda says she feels supported and that the sense of overwhelm is gone!

RESOURCES

Front Row CEO

The VA Connection

Teamwork

Loom

Your Perfect Match Virtual Assistant is Out There with April Pertuis

April Pertuis is on today’s episode with Jen. She recently hired her first VA and it’s been a game-changer for her business. 

Being an entrepreneur was a choice for freedom but as her business grew, April was feeling anything but free. One of the most time-consuming tasks was managing the large amount of social media content that she creates. 

April shares it all: 

• Hear how she got things off to a great start 

• Find out what made the biggest impact for April 

• How April’s VA took the lead on curating existing content 

• The method they use to keep in touch and how they continue to establish processes to increase efficiency (This is so easy you’re going to wonder why you didn’t think of it!)

Delegating hasn’t always worked for April. She explains why it’s different this time. You’ll love her her unicorn analogy that explains why she thinks anyone can find their “perfect-match” VA. 

Working with someone overseas was also a concern. The Front Row CEO program addressed exactly what to do and it made the process simple to implement. April credits the course for helping her: 

• Recognize past hiring mistakes and how to correct it 

• Establish the foundation for a long-term partnership with her VA

• Get her freedom back! 

• See business growth since she’s now able to focus on serving her audience

April wants everyone to know that The Front Row CEO program is a great first step for anyone who is ready to get their freedom back. 

RESOURCES

Lightbeamers

Front Row CEO

April’s Instagram

Trello

Loom 

My Team Helped Me Love My Business Again with Heather Alice Shea

This episode is going to be a huge help for anyone who has had difficulty delegating. That’s where Heather was when she took the Front Row CEO course.  

Heather shares how she began delegating with her two recently hired VA’s. It started with: 

• The key question she asked herself to get super clear on the first thing she should delegate (you can use this same strategy) 

• Why saving time was the 2nd best part of delegating a key task

• How she uses “team parties” as part of her training process

• Next steps: allowing her team to manage her entire calendar (huge step for someone who didn’t think delegating this was possible)

Jen and Heather also talk about culture and what it takes to build a team. 

• Hear the impact of creating an environment where your team members take ownership of their contributions

• Find out the 2 key methods Heather uses to keep her team huddles efficient 

• Hear Heather’s before and after podcast production process and the surprise benefit she didn’t know she was missing 

Heather provides life-coach training for energy-sensitive people who want to bring that aspect into their coaching. She shares two strategies that she has time to implement now that she has help. Key impact: new clients and stronger relationships. 

Heather told Jen 2 things that were unexpected but have already made a huge shift for her. Plus, it’s allowed her to stop running her business by sticky posts. (Who hasn’t been there?) 

Lastly, Heather wanted Jen to know that she followed every step of the Front Row CEO course. In just a few weeks she had 2 VA’s that have allowed her to “love her business again.”

RESOURCES

Loom 

Front Row CEO

Heather’s Website 

Trello

Hiring a Virtual Assistant is Completely Life-Changing with Lyndsay Morris

Lyndsay is a busy business owner who travels and speaks at industry events on top of running her successful business. Jen and Lyndsay discuss why she hired not one but two VA’s and how they started. 

Lyndsay shares the first things implemented. 

• How they mapped out (and created) their content plan for the entire year

• Providing a tool each month for the email list

• Uploading prepared content (for the year) so it’s ready to go

• Repurposing videos (this is genius)

Changing her content process is saving her 15 hours a month and 2020 is completely planned and prepared. 

Lyndsay enjoys the collaboration and partnership from her VA’s. The next steps include: 

• Building out a new site on Kajabi

• Creating animations for her site 

• Adding automation tools 

Lyndsay said the Front Row CEO course was the first training that showed her how to hire the help she needed so she could implement all the strategies she’s learned. 

• Use Lyndsay’s method to keep track of tasks with her team (no fancy software required) 

• Find out how leveraging her team is making travel easier

• Use Loom to create your training library 

• Find out how her team is building systems as they learn (and how it will accelerate growth!)

Lyndsay surprised Jen with news about her 2020 plans already in the works. She credits the Front Row CEO course for helping her make it happen. In her words it’s “life-changing.” 

RESOURCES

Voxer

Front Row CEO

Planoly

Loom

Generation Wellness

When to Know When it’s Time to Hire a Virtual Assistant

Today’s podcast covers an important topic. When to hire help. More importantly, how do you know when it’s the right time. 

I’m going to break this down so there is no more confusion.  

First, there’s the conventional thinking that you shouldn’t hire until you are super-successful and completely organized or when you hit a magical revenue amount. Only that day never seems to arrive. 

When will you know? 

I’m sharing some hard truths about what I experienced. I know many entrepreneurs will relate to the busy-ness of the day to day; except you never feel like you did anything to move your business forward. I certainly had plenty of days like that. 

I’m busting a few myths today:

• Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. 

• Some actions provide exponential returns which is what you miss by doing it all. 

• I know all the reasons why not to hire. I was right there too. 

• No one can do it like I can/ you can. 

• I can’t afford it yet. 

There’s more than one way to hire and train. I outline just one of those that I’ve put into practice and helped other to do as well. 

One of the best things is not being all alone. Knowing my team has my back has made such a big difference. I want you to have that same feeling of support. Grab the resources so you can see how making your first hire can work for you.