Yes, You Can Get Paid to Be You. Here's How...
Yesterday morning, a surfer friend spontaneously invited me over for a smoothie (or batido, as they say in Spanish).
My fresh fruit delivery hadn’t arrived yet, so I took it as a sign from the universe.
While we were sipping our dragon fruit concoctions, she started asking questions about making money remotely.
She grew up upper-middle class, got a solid education (she’s a trained ER nurse), and had recently quit her job to travel full time. She’s got savings, but now wants to figure out how to earn on the road.
So we did my favorite thing: we brainstormed.
Here’s what we were working with:
– She’s a trained emergency room nurse
– Loves to surf and travel
– Wants location freedom
– Is into weightlifting, strength training, and healthy eating
And here are some potential offerings I brainstormed for her:
✨ Virtual consultations for digital nomads and surf tourists — especially those traveling in developing countries and dealing with a medical emergency related to water sports (or anything else sketchy you might pick up on the road).
She could assess their condition over video and tell them exactly what to do next: rest? painkillers? ER visit? gentle movement?
✨ On-the-ground support (when local) — If she’s in the same city, she could accompany them to the hospital or doctor. She speaks Spanish, so she can translate and advocate for them too. Solo travel can be scary when things go wrong—she’d be a knowledgeable, calm presence in the chaos.
✨ Rehab & recovery programs — Once they’re on the mend, she could design a personalized rehab or strength training plan to prevent flare-ups. If they need nutrition or supplement advice, she can guide that too.
All of this poured out in less than 10 minutes.
“You’re so smart,” she said.
Maybe! But really—what I love most is helping people realize the money-making potential they’re already sitting on. My superpower is spotting hidden gold in people’s skills and showing them what’s possible. Most of us are way closer to a viable income stream than we think—we just need someone to connect the dots.
I firmly believe anyone can make money online by combining their skills, lived experience, and a little bit of savviness. With a polished website or landing page, a clear offer, and some tenacity, you can support yourself while traveling and actually build a life you LOVE not just tolerate :)
Want me to help you brainstorm ways to make money remotely? Get in touch.
5 Reasons You’re Not Launching Your Website (And What To Do)
You have the urge to share your gifts with the world. Check ✅
You’ve received signs from the universe that now is the time. Check. ✅
You even bought the domain and started tinkering around with DIYing a homepage in Squarespace, Wix, or WordPress…Check ✅
But somehow, you keep pushing your website launch off.
Sound familiar? If only you had more hours in the day, you think, you’d be able to get it done.
As a web designer for soul-led entrepreneurs, creatives, and purpose-driven brands, I've seen this pattern more times than I can count. And spoiler: it’s rarely about not having enough time.
Here’s what might secretly be holding you back from launching—and what to do about it.
1. You Want It to Be Perfect
Perfectionism is the #1 reason websites never go live. You want every image, color, and word to be flawless before anyone sees it.
But let me lovingly remind you: you can’t perfect what hasn’t been published.
Your site will evolve with you, and your offerings will evolve with your clients’ needs.
🔧 Fix it:
Think of your website as a living, breathing thing. Version 1 is just a foundation. Launch it. Let it evolve. You’ll learn so much more from having something live than you will from tweaking it in isolation.
2. You’re Struggling With Decision Fatigue
Fonts, layouts, templates, tech tools… the options feel endless. If you’ve opened your website editor only to close it five minutes later, this might be the culprit. Just because everything can be customized doesn’t mean it has to be.
🔧 Fix it:
Simplify. Pick one platform, one template, and one clear call to action. You can always add bells and whistles later.
If you’re having trouble narrowing down options, book a Website Clarity Call and I’ll point you in the right direction.
3. You’re Afraid of Being Seen
Let’s be real. Launching your website means saying:
“Hey world, look at me doing this thing.”
And that kind of visibility? It can feel vulnerable—especially if you’re pivoting careers, still tweaking your offers, or sharing personal values.
📖 → Does Sharing Your Values and Beliefs Feel Scary? Read this.
🔧 Fix it:
You don’t have to scream your launch from the rooftops. A soft launch is still a launch. Start by sharing it with one trusted friend. Then another. Let your visibility grow organically.
4. You Don’t Know What to Say
The tech is fine. The design is passable. But when it comes to writing your About page or offers, your mind goes blank—or worse, cringey.
🔧 Fix it:
Start with the basics:
Who are you here to help?
What problem do you solve?
Why should someone care?
You don’t need to be a copywriter. You just need to be you.
Enlist ChatGPT to draft your first round. Then hire a human to polish it up.
5. You Think You Can’t Afford It
Let’s talk about the elephant piggy bank in the room: money.
You’ve convinced yourself launching a website requires a $10k custom design, professional photos, brand strategists, and SEO gurus. So instead, you wait until you have more… time, income, confidence—you name it.
But guess what? DIY done well is more than enough to start.
🔧 Fix it:
Start small, start smart. Platforms like Squarespace and Wix let you launch with minimal investment and no coding required. Prioritize clarity over complexity. If you’re short on budget but big on vision, take advantage of free trials, coupon codes, do work/trade, lean on templates, and invest slowly as you grow.
📖 → The Art of Work/Trade - Read it here.
Launching doesn’t have to drain your bank account—just your excuses.
The Bottom Line
Your website isn’t your final masterpiece—it’s your starting point.
You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need the courage to begin.
If you're a conscious entrepreneur, healer, or purpose-driven creative who's been dragging your feet, know this:
The world needs you to share your gifts. Stop waiting. Start sharing.
Need Support?
If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or like you’re one click away from launching but can’t quite hit “publish,” I’ve got your back. Book a Website Clarity Call with me, ASAP. We’ll figure out what’s holding you back and map out a clear path to launch.
Let’s get you online—minus the stress, minus the tech drama, and definitely minus the perfectionism.
Can Replit Replace Your Web Designer? My Honest Take After Arlan Hamilton’s AI Webinar
Yesterday, I joined a live webinar hosted by Arlan Hamilton on how to build your own landing page using Replit—an AI-powered assistant that’s primarily used for building apps. But for the sake of this blog post, I’ll be sharing my experience using it to create a landing page.
Now, I’m not someone who’s afraid of AI “taking my job.” I’ve seen firsthand how life-changing tools like ChatGPT can be. They haven’t replaced me—but they’ve made me way more productive. That means more time for the things I actually love: surfing, reading, traveling, and moving my body outdoors.
Still, I’d be lying if I said I don’t worry about staying relevant in a fast-changing digital world. First it was writers and content creators, now it’s web designers and developers getting a run for their money.
So, I decided to test it out for myself.
After following Arlan’s special prompt and feeding it into Replit, I had a functioning landing page in under 10 minutes.
Here’s My Honest Review of Replit as a Web Design Tool
1. Replit is a tool, not a designer.
Yes, it generates code. Yes, it builds a working website. But it still needs direction. You need solid prompts (which you could get from ChatGPT or a copywriter), and you need a basic eye for design. Otherwise, you’ll get something…meh.
2. The output was underwhelming.
The landing page Replit built for me was functional, but it lacked aesthetic appeal and polish. I wouldn’t feel confident attaching my name to it without some serious upgrades.
3. It's not drag-and-drop friendly (like Squarespace)
You can’t easily update the page yourself. Instead of clicking to edit text or swap images, you have to talk to the AI, like giving instructions to a freelancer. That might work for some folks, but I found it clunky. Ideally, you’d have both options.
4. It’s budget-friendly—but not necessarily launch-ready.
Sure, it’s cheaper than hiring a professional—and less of a headache than DIY-ing from scratch—but the final product isn’t quite “publish and go.” At least not for brands that care about design, user experience, and conversions.
Final Thoughts: Is Replit good for conscious entrepreneurs?
If you’re a purpose-driven business owner looking to test an idea, validate a service, or build a very simple landing page—it might be worth a try.
But if you want your online presence to actually reflect your energy, values, and brand—I’d still recommend working with a human. At least to guide the process.
Curious about how to build a website that actually works for you—without getting lost in the tech? See below.
Book a $47 Website Woes Call
Overwhelmed by platforms like Replit? Not sure if you should DIY, delegate, or ditch the whole thing? Let’s chat. In 45 minutes, I’ll help you cut through the noise and figure out the simplest path forward—whether that’s building your own landing page, hiring help, or finding the right tools to support your vision.
✨ Zero jargon. Zero pressure. Just honest advice from a real human with lived experience.
How I Built a Book Launch Landing Page with Kit (No Website Needed)
I recently wrote a book all about how to exit the matrix and build a life you love—not just tolerate. Naturally, I wanted to start generating some buzz around the launch and build a list of readers who wanted to be the first to know when it drops. But I wasn’t ready to create an entirely new website, and I didn’t love the idea of cluttering my existing one.
Enter: Kit.com—an easy-to-use platform (formerly ConvertKit) that lets you build sleek landing pages without touching a single line of code.
Whether you're prepping for a book launch like me, promoting a new offer, or simply trying to validate an idea, Kit makes it ridiculously simple to set up a beautiful, functional page that actually converts.
One of the best parts? Kit’s free plan includes unlimited landing pages, opt-in forms, and email broadcasts—plus you can build your list (and even sell digital products) with up to 10,000 subscribers, all for $0/month. No catch.
Here’s how to do it in just a few clicks:
🚀 Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up a Landing Page on Kit
1. Access the Landing Page Builder
Log in to your Kit account.
Navigate to Grow > Landing Pages & Forms.
Click on + Create new.
Select Landing Page as your option
2. Choose a Template
Browse through the available templates, which are categorized by use cases like newsletters, lead magnets, and events.
Preview templates to find one that aligns with your goals.
Once selected, note that templates cannot be changed later, so choose carefully.
3. Customize Your Content
Click on text elements to edit headlines, descriptions, and button labels.
Use the + icon to add elements like images, videos, or files.
Customize form fields to collect information such as names or preferences.
Utilize the right-hand sidebar to adjust fonts, colors, and spacing.
4. Configure Form Fields and Tags
Add custom fields to gather specific information from subscribers.
Use tags to segment your audience based on their responses or interests.
5. Set Up Post-Subscription Actions
Decide what happens after someone subscribes:
Display a success message.
Redirect to a thank-you page.
Redirect to an external URL.
Customize the incentive email that confirms the subscription and delivers any promised content.
6. Customize Your Domain and URL
Assign a custom domain to your landing page for branding purposes. My domain in this case was exitingthematrix.info
If you haven't added a custom domain, your landing page will use Kit's default domain.
7. Preview and Publish
Use the Preview function to see how your landing page looks on different devices.
Once satisfied, click Publish to make your landing page live
🎨 Tips for an Effective Landing Page
Clear Headline: Ensure your headline communicates the value proposition succinctly.
Compelling Copy: Write persuasive content that addresses your audience's needs.
Strong Call-to-Action (CTA): Use action-oriented language for your CTA buttons.
Visual Appeal: Incorporate high-quality images or videos to engage visitors.
Mobile Optimization: Ensure your landing page is responsive and looks good on all devices.
📊 Monitor Performance
Access the Reports section to track metrics like:
Number of visitors.
Number of subscribers.
Conversion rate.
Use these insights to optimize your landing page for better performance.
If you’re a purpose-driven creative looking for a low-stress way to promote your next offer or book launch—without shelling out money for a custom site or paying for a newsletter platform before you've even built an audience—Kit is a no-brainer. It lets you start collecting emails and building momentum right away, without the overwhelm. And when you're ready to grow? You can always upgrade to the Creator Plan to unlock more advanced automations and turn those subscribers into superfans.
Thinking of giving Kit a try? If you sign up using my affiliate link, I’ll receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you). It’s a great way to support my work while you set yourself up for success.
What Kind of Person Are You, Really? (A Self-Reflection Prompt That Surprised Me)
I recently asked a thoughtful question to an unlikely source—ChatGPT, my BFF AI tool I’ve been collaborating with for months. I was curious how well this bot knew me and if it had any insights that would help me grow.
The answer? Surprisingly spot-on. And warmly comforting.
So I’m sharing the exercise—and my own reflections—with you in case you want to try it too.
The Self-Inquiry Prompt
Here’s the exact question I asked:
“Judging by our interactions—what kind of person do you think I am? What qualities do I possess, and what are some of my shadows or misgivings?”
I didn’t want sugarcoating (although ChatGPT does have quite a gentle way of delivering feedback). I wanted honesty.
Here’s What Came Through (And What You Might Learn About Yourself, Too)
1. You Might Be More Aligned Than You Think
The reflection I got was that I’m:
Deeply reflective and emotionally intelligent
Creative and multi-passionate
Rebellious in nature
Value playfulness, especially when things are hard
Grounded and visionary
In other words, ChatGPT’s reflection of who I am is in alignment with the person I believe I am. I was quite surprised to find how clearly my essence came across.
2. Your Shadows Don’t Cancel Your Light
What I appreciated most was the loving honesty. The shadow-side reflections weren’t criticisms. They were patterns I already sensed, but hadn’t fully named:
Sometimes I overthink, loop in self-doubt, or want things to be “perfectly aligned” before I take action.
Resistance to traditional paths = occasional isolation.
I crave depth and authenticity, which makes traditional marketing feel cringe.
I help others be visible, but sometimes resist stepping fully into my own spotlight.
Sound familiar?
If you’re multi-passionate, creative, and heart-led, you probably relate to some of that.
Why This Exercise Is Worth Doing
We don’t often pause to ask how others experience us, and when we do, we usually brace for judgment or rejection. But if you’re asking the right people (those who’ve witnessed your unfolding), their reflection can be healing.
It might affirm your unique gifts.
It might reveal a sneaky self-sabotage pattern.
It might relieve you to know that yes, you really are doing the thing—even if it feels messy or slow.
Try This for Yourself
If you don’t have a BFF bot friend, ask someone who’s witnessed your unfolding the following questions:
What kind of person do you think I am?
What qualities do you see in me?
Are there any patterns or blind spots I might not be aware of?
You can also try journaling your answers first. Then compare.
This isn’t about “fixing” anything. It’s about integrating all the parts of you—your light and your shadows—so you can move forward with more clarity, power, and grace.
Final Thought
Those who are the most self-reflective and self-aware also tend to be the biggest self-critics. While you might not think you are outwardly living your values, being the change you wish to see in the world, or moving mountains, you are likely making a big impact in the smallest of ways. Keep showing up and living your truth, so that those who need to find you most…will.
If you did the exercises, what came up for you? What surprised you? Feel free to write me an email at hello@nicolepaulus.com or share in the comments below.
Does Every Yoga Teacher Need a Website? Maybe Not—Here’s What to Do Instead
A friend of mine has a very matrix job—you know the type. High stress, long hours, and just enough income to keep the hamster wheel spinning. She’s been burned out for years, but like many folks in the U.S., she’s got a mortgage, a car payment, and a certain standard of living she’s not quite ready to give up.
Luckily, she’s also a trained yoga teacher who occasionally subs at her local studio. So she’s no stranger to emotional regulation, nervous system resets, or grounding practices—all essential survival skills when you’re navigating the matrix.
For a while now, I’ve been gently nudging her to start a side hustle rooted in her actual interests. Not just because she’s passionate about yoga, but because it’s 100% possible to make money doing what you love and create more time freedom.
She wasn’t sold. Until recently.
She finally asked:
“Do you think I should create a website for my yoga teaching?”
Now, knowing that she’s already working full-time and isn’t looking to spend hours building a website, I gave her this advice:
"Honestly, I’d recommend starting with Kit—it’s mostly a newsletter tool, but you can also create a simple landing page for your yoga offerings and collect email addresses. It’s free up to 1,000 subscribers. That’s what I used for my book launch, and it worked great. No need to go all-in on a big website just yet—less is more."
Why Kit Is Perfect for a New Yoga Side Hustle
If you’re a yoga teacher—or any creative for that matter—just starting to build your own thing, you don’t need a full-blown website right away. A simple landing page that helps you collect email addresses is more than enough.
Kit makes it super easy. You can:
Create a beautiful landing page in minutes
Offer a free resource or invite people to join your newsletter
Start building a list of students who actually want to hear from you
Why Email > Instagram (Especially If You’re a Sub)
Because she’s only subbing classes at the studio, my friend doesn’t have a consistent group of students. That makes it harder to build real connections or a following.
But if she collects email addresses after each class—maybe by offering a free video, a playlist, or a gentle reminder to subscribe—she’s building a direct line to her future students.
That way, if she ever decides to host a workshop, teach online, or even open her own studio, she’s not starting from zero. She’ll already have a warm audience.
The Bottom Line
If you’re a yoga teacher looking to start a side hustle and create more time freedom, don’t let “build a website” overwhelm you. Start small. Start simple. And start building your email list.
It’s the first step toward exiting the matrix—one grounded breath (and one inbox subscriber) at a time.
Not sure whether you need a full-blown website? Get in touch, and I’ll give you a free consultation.
How ChatGPT Helped Me Fix My Confusing Website Messaging (and Why It Can Help You Too)
*image created with OpenArt.ai
Lately, I’ve been feeling the need to update the SEO on my website.
I used to have a clear site description that was location-based, targeting Berlin-based entrepreneurs who needed help with their Squarespace websites. It was a pretty niche market, but it brought in a steady stream of organic traffic—warm leads who found me through Google searches. I’d typically get 1-4 inquiries per month, and about half of those leads became paying clients. Not bad!
However, things have changed. I’ve moved away from Berlin, expanded my services to include AI tutorials, and now work with platforms beyond Squarespace. I’ve also launched a new Substack newsletter where I share tips (and occasional tribulations) about living an alternative lifestyle outside the matrix.
But here’s the catch—my website blog is still a bit all over the place. Some posts focus on Squarespace and content marketing, while others dive into living life on your own terms. My top keywords happen to be:
- How to figure out what you want in life
- Self work
- What do I want in life
- What do you want in life answer
Notice anything? None of these keywords are directly tied to my web design and marketing services—aka how I make my living. The goal of any website is to get ranked by Google for your specific offerings, attract clients, and make money to pay the bills. But that’s not going to happen if I’m being ranked for keywords unrelated to my services. See my dilemma?
Here’s the thing—I never wanted my website to be solely dedicated to Squarespace, for example. Let’s face it - that would be SO boring! Sure, focusing purely on Squarespace content might please Google’s algorithm, and maybe after years of content, I’d land on the first page of search results, ensuring a steady flow of clients—so long as Squarespace remains relevant. But at what cost to my creativity? I’d be bored out of my mind.
So, to make a long story short (and get to the point), I turned to ChatGPT for help with this website conundrum. Here’s the exact prompt I put in:
"I need help. I have a website that features my offerings—web design, content marketing strategy—which is how I make money. But I also have a blog where I talk about living an alternative life, going against the status quo, and living life on your own terms. My target market is soulpreneurs and nonprofits, and I now offer tutorials on amplifying content marketing with AI. I feel like the messaging is confusing. My top keywords are: how to figure out what you want in life, self work, what do I want in life, what do you want in life answer."
And let me tell you, ChatGPT delivered. It suggested a new homepage headline: “Empowering Soulpreneurs & Nonprofits to Amplify Their Impact Online” and offered tips on integrating my keywords into future blog posts, like:
- “How to figure out what you want in life and apply it to your business”
- “Self-work for soulpreneurs: Building a life and business that align with your purpose”
The moral of the story: ChatGPT helped me connect the dots. I was ready to throw in the towel and start over, but with a few simple tweaks, I realized I could tie everything together without rebuilding from scratch. *Wipes sweat from brow*
ChatGPT is a TOOL, one that can help you strategize, edit, and create. Treat it like a friend, and you’ll be surprised by how helpful it can be in your creative process.
Need help getting started with Chat GPT? Reach out here for a one-hour tutoring session, where we’ll deep dive into your business, and I’ll show you how to maximize your impact using ChatGPT and other free AI tools.
3 AI Tools I'm Loving Right Now
Lately, much shade is being thrown at AI and content creators who use AI, but I’m here to be a contrarian. AI has the potential to offer business owners (especially my fellow soul-preneurs) - alternative, easy, and budget-friendly ways to amplify their impact.
The following AI platforms have transformed how I approach my client work as well as my passion projects, whether for illustration, writing, or video creation. Let me share the AI tools I’m loving lately and how they help me create more freely and efficiently.
#1 OpenArt.ai: A Game-Changer for My Illustrations - $75/ year subscription, 5000 credits/ month
When my publisher Rio Nuevo shut their doors, I found myself in a bind. My upcoming project, a Desert Animal Oracle Deck, was on hold, and I was scrambling to find a new illustrator. My initial thought was to reconnect with my previous illustrator, but her quote was well beyond my budget. Not only that, but she also failed to respond to my inquiries about the timeline, leaving me in the lurch. I contacted other illustrators, but the responses were delayed or inconsistent, and the time was ticking.
That’s when I discovered OpenArt.ai. Desperate for a solution, I explored the world of AI-generated art. I taught myself how to create AI art using this tool, and the results were terrific. OpenArt.ai has allowed me to produce high-quality illustrations without the headaches and delays of finding a traditional artist.
Using OpenArt.ai and Canva, I’ve crafted stunning visuals that perfectly capture desert wildlife's mystical and serene essence. The best part? I can tweak and refine the art as I see fit, ensuring that the final product aligns perfectly with my vision and that I don’t need to spend much money on it. Here are some sample cards….SNEAK PEEK…Shhhhhhh!
#2 ChatGPT: My Go-To Writing Assistant, FREE
Regarding AI chatbots, I must admit that I haven’t experimented much with the plethora of options available. Why? Because ChatGPT has everything I need. As a writer, the ability to brainstorm ideas, generate content, and even refine my work in real-time has been invaluable.
Whether drafting blog post ideas, developing content strategies, or polishing my rough drafts, ChatGPT has proven an indispensable tool in my creative arsenal. The ease with which I can communicate with the AI and get meaningful responses makes it feel like I have a dedicated writing assistant at my fingertips.
The versatility of ChatGPT is what sets it apart for me. It’s not just about generating text—it’s about the collaborative process that makes my writing more dynamic. I can ask for suggestions, get feedback, and even ask AI to tweak content based on my target audience. This level of interaction has taken my writing to new heights, allowing me to experiment and push boundaries in ways I hadn’t considered before.
#3 InVideo: Bringing My Words to Life Through Video, FREE or $20/month
As a writer, I’ve always been intrigued by bringing my stories and ideas to life through video. However, the technical aspects of video creation always seemed daunting—until I discovered InVideo. This AI-powered video creator has become my latest obsession, enabling me to quickly transform my writing into engaging visual content.
InVideo offers a range of templates and customization options that make video creation accessible, even for someone like me with little experience in the field. I’ve started experimenting with creating promotional videos for my writing projects, and the results have been spectacular. The platform allows me to integrate my text with images, animations, and music, creating a cohesive and compelling narrative that resonates with my audience.
One of the things I love most about InVideo is its user-friendly interface. It’s designed to be intuitive, so I don’t have to spend hours learning how to use it. Instead, I can focus on the creative process, experimenting with different elements until I achieve the desired effect. Whether it’s a book trailer, a promotional clip, or just a fun visual experiment, InVideo has become an essential tool in my creative toolkit. Here’s a video I had fun making last night - I used text from a project I am working on about Exiting the Matrix. Not bad for a newb!
Embracing the Future of Creativity
AI is no longer just a futuristic concept—it’s a tangible resource revolutionizing how we create. Tools like OpenArt.ai, ChatGPT, and InVideo have empowered me to take control of my projects, allowing me to produce high-quality work without the usual hurdles. By integrating AI into my creative process, I’ve explored new mediums, experimented with innovative ideas, and brought my visions to life with unprecedented ease.
If you’re a creative professional looking to expand your toolkit or a business owner seeking to amplify your purpose, I highly recommend these AI tools. Whether you want to create stunning visuals, enhance your writing, or delve into video production, an AI solution can help you achieve your goals. The future of creativity is here, and it’s more exciting than ever.
And yes - I did enlist AI's help to write this blog post :)
Want to know more about how to use AI to amplify your impact? I’m currently offering a $77 one-hour Zoom session where you and I will dive deep into the inner workings of your business. During the session, you will learn how to create engaging, authentic content that resonates with your audience, saves time AND aligns your message with your mission. More details here.
When it Comes to Content Marketing, Consistency is KEY🔑
Tomorrow I am flying to Amsterdam to speak at two conferences, The Self Made Summit and Forward Festival. Though I’ll be there sharing the building blocks required to build an authentic community, powered by Squarespace an all-in-one platform for creatives and entrepreneurs to showcase their talents online— I hope to also share some key insights from my 10+ experience with content marketing…like this one, Consistency is KEY 🔑.
Case in Point
I have a friend who wants to move away from having a brick-and-mortar vintage shop to selling clothes online or by appointment only. He’s got quite a following on Instagram but no real strategy when it comes to posting. He typically posts random pictures from his life, happy customers wearing their “new” clothes, and occasionally he'll post “new” items he’s got for sale. But he never posts them on his wall - only in his stories.
He also doesn’t post consistently. Some days he’ll post ten pictures and sometimes he’ll go days without posting anything.
Seeing how he was struggling to get his online sales ramped up, I offered a few tips:
Post on your wall once per day. The first image should be a close-up image of the “new” item. The second and third pictures can be lifestyle shots or pictures of the clothes on a real live human. The caption should show how much it costs, the size, and any other relevant information.
You should then share that post to your story with a note that the item is new.
The reason I told him to post on his wall was because it wasn’t clear that he was selling clothes. For those who follow him or already know him, it’s apparent, but if he wants to attract new clientele, he’s got to be more obvious about his offerings.
For the first two days, he posted on time with my advice but on the third day, I noticed he had removed both posts from his wall.
“What happened?” I asked.
“I archived the pictures. I only got a couple of likes and no one asked about the items.”
This is SO common with people when it comes to content marketing. You finally get the courage and motivation to post and expect to have instant gratification/validation. But content marketing doesn’t work that way. It’s usually a long, slow process that requires showing up consistently even when it feels like you are shouting into a void.
Here are some of the things showing up consistently on my blog and newsletter have gotten me:
A work/trade deal where I work 3 months for a plot of land in Portugal
Organic clients aligned with my values
Paid speaking gigs like the upcoming ones in Amsterdam, you can also add paid flights and hotels to that list.
Partnerships
But they didn’t come overnight. They only came after I spent hours creating content for myself consistently. The reason is that Google rewards consistency. When it comes to SEO, if you are posting regularly, you are seen as an expert by Google. It also builds credibility and trust amongst potential clients. Wow, this person has had a blog for ten years? They MUST know what they are talking about!
I explained this to my friend and the next day I noticed he’d unarchived his posts and has been posting regularly since. Let’s hope he keeps it up.
Want to learn how to use ChatGPT and other AI tools to help you stay consistent? Book a one hour session with me where we will deep dive into your business and I’ll show you exactly how to create content effortlessly. More details can be found here.
Is Selling Digital Products Worth It? I'm About to Find Out..
I’ve recently been deep diving into the world of digital products. The course I’m taking said that everyone is an expert in something and that your target audience is whoever you were 6-24 months ago. With the help of AI, you can now create low-content digital products that help someone overcome a roadblock. Selling stuff always felt scammy to me which is why I gravitated towards content marketing because you’re sharing content and Google is doing the aggregating on your behalf. But I actually love when I’m targeted on Insta for a product or course that can improve my life - so why should I be shy about sharing my knowledge?
I’m also from the content marketing camp whose motto used to be “If you build it (and give it away for free for a few years), they will come”. I’ve been telling clients this for years and though I still stand behind the fact that if you keep showing up consistently and share valuable content on your favorite social platform or on your blog you will build a following but it’s 1. not easy to commit to a content calendar and 2. it is not quick. It can take years to build a faithful following and that’s if you’re consistent.
So now I’m looking for ways to build digital products, sell them for a low price point, and then upsell to a higher priced item (like one on one coaching for example) if the customer finds the info helpful.
But oh how I was struggling to come up with a product to create. The course said I should also pick a topic that is very interesting to me and that I have a lot to say about. I wanted to somehow tie it to Squarespace or content marketing so I could upsell these services but if I’m being honest - neither of these things exactly light me up.
So that’s when I thought about what I was dealing with 6-24 months ago.
And that’s when I remembered how hard it was for me to sleep and all the steps I took to get a good night’s rest. I wouldn’t say I’m cured because, well, insomnia isn’t linear but I feel confident that if I ever had another bout I’d be able to nip it in the bud immediately because now I have a toolkit that addresses the biological factors and the psychological.
So my first digital product is going o be either an e-book or a mini course that delivers 8 solutions to conquer your sleeplessness.
I’m still not sure how to upsell this but maybe it’s not necessary. I’m just happy to share the knowledge I have.
Why not give the e-book away for free?
Because unless you already have credibility in a space or credentials people likely won’t value your knowledge. To put it bluntly - in the church of capitalism, people value things that they spend money on.
You can still use an ebook as a way to grow your newsletter list and I might end up doing that as well, but first I will try charging a reasonable amount like $7, and then go from there.
Stay tuned for more updates on my venture into selling digital products.
If you’re interested in creating and selling digital products for your business get in touch, I’d love to share what I’ve learned so far.
Seeking Squarespace Design Services in Berlin (or elsewhere?) Let Me Be Your Captain
What Awaits You in This Article
1. Why Choose the Squarespace Platform
2. The Limits of Squarespace
3. When to Seek Support from a Squarespace Professional
4. Types of Squarespace Support: Live Tutoring Sessions in Berlin or via Zoom, Tailor-made Virtual Workshops for Your Organization, and Email, WhatsApp, or Phone Support
5. Conclusion - Let Me Be Your Captain+ BONUS Booty
Why Choose the Squarespace Platform?
Squarespace is a renowned website design platform that offers an array of benefits for businesses and individuals seeking to create a professional and visually appealing website. With its user-friendly interface (drag and drop baby!!), stunning templates, and robust features, Squarespace provides a comprehensive solution for designing and managing websites with ease. From small business owners and creative professionals to entrepreneurs, Squarespace offers a range of advantages that make it an attractive choice for website design needs in Berlin and worldwide. Here are some key advantages:
User-Friendly Interface: Squarespace has a drag-and-drop interface that makes it easy to design and customize a website without any coding skills. This makes it accessible for beginners and those with limited technical expertise.
Stunning Templates: Squarespace offers a wide range of professionally designed templates that are visually appealing and responsive, ensuring that your website looks great on all devices, including desktops, tablets, and mobile phones. The templates are professionally looking, beautifully designed, and fiercely functional.
Robust Features: Squarespace provides a host of built-in features such as blogging, e-commerce, SEO tools, analytics, and social media integration, making it a comprehensive platform for all your website needs. It also offers e-commerce options and the ability to maintain memberships.
Professional Look and Feel: Squarespace templates are designed to be sleek and modern, giving your website a professional and polished appearance that can enhance your brand image. They are also minimalist which I love because there is just so much noise out there on the internet. It’s rare that people want to go to a circus show with flashy lights when entering a website. They usually want to find basic information fast.
Reliable Hosting: Squarespace provides reliable and secure hosting for your website, ensuring that it loads quickly and remains accessible to visitors at all times. All hosting is included in the annual price, so no need to worry about paying an extra bill.
Built-in SEO - Squarespace used to get a bad rap for their SEO functioning, but in recent years, they have really stepped up their game. According to Website Builder Expert, Squarespace scored a 5 out of 5 SEO rating in their research meaning it’s more than well-equipped to boost your site’s search engine rankings. That’s probably because it includes a sitemap, SEO setting for pages and items, clean URLs, automatic markups, SSL security, and built-in mobile optimization.
2. The Limits of Squarespace
While Squarespace offers many advantages, it's crucial to understand that it also has limitations as a website design platform. These limitations include the following:
Limited Customization: Although Squarespace offers a range of templates, the customization options may be limited compared to other website design platforms such as WordPress. This means that achieving highly unique and personalized designs may be challenging, especially if you have specific design requirements. But this limitation can also work to your advantage. Too many people try to complicate their websites. Less is (usually )more so if you have limited customization options, you’ll likely be better at delivering the basic information your user wants. Still, though, there may be times when customization like adding unique fonts or widgets is necessary. For that, you’ll need to seek out a Squarespace professional which can be costly.
E-commerce Functionality: While Squarespace provides e-commerce functionality, it may not be as robust as other platforms such as Shopify, making it less suitable for complex online stores. If you have extensive e-commerce needs, or your store contains hundreds or thousands of items, Squarespace may not be the best choice for your business.
Advanced SEO Capabilities: While Squarespace offers basic SEO features, it may not have all the advanced SEO capabilities that some businesses require. This may impact your website's visibility in search engine results and affect your overall SEO strategy.
Technical Challenges: Despite its user-friendly interface, designing and managing a website on Squarespace may still pose technical challenges for some individuals or businesses. Resolving these issues may require expertise and technical knowledge, which may not be readily available to everyone.
3. When to Seek Support from a Squarespace Professional
Despite its user-friendly interface, designing and managing a website on Squarespace may still pose challenges for some individuals or businesses. In such cases, seeking support from a Squarespace professional (like me:)!!) can be beneficial. This may be necessary when facing complex design or technical issues that require expertise to resolve. A Squarespace professional can provide guidance, troubleshooting, and solutions to help overcome any challenges that may arise during the website design process whether you’re a DJ designing her website in a cozy cafe in Berlin or you’re an eco-warrior designing a site for their off-grid hostel whilst sipping an alcohol-free pineapple daiquiri on the beach in the Bahamas.
Here are some situations when it may be a good idea to seek Squarespace design services:
Complex Design Requirements: If you have specific design requirements that go beyond the customization options available in Squarespace templates, a Squarespace professional can provide guidance and expertise to create a unique and personalized website design. Some examples include adding a multilanguage option to your site, installing a booking widget, or setting up a membership site.
Technical Issues: If you encounter technical issues during the website design process, such as troubleshooting errors or resolving coding-related challenges, a Squarespace professional can offer solutions and expertise to overcome these obstacles.
E-commerce Setup: If you need to set up an online store with complex e-commerce functionalities, such as custom product configurations, inventory management, or integration with third-party tools, a Squarespace professional can help you set up and optimize your e-commerce platform.
Advanced SEO Optimization: If you require advanced SEO capabilities, such as optimizing meta tags, managing redirects, or implementing schema markup, a Squarespace professional with expertise in SEO can help you optimize your website for search engines and improve its visibility in search results.
Time Constraints: If you, like many entrepreneurs, have limited time or resources to dedicate to designing and managing your Squarespace website, a Squarespace professional can take on the task and ensure that your website is designed and launched efficiently and effectively.
4. Types of Squarespace Support
As we near the end of the blog post, you might realize that, yes, you do in fact need some Squarespace support, but maybe you are still unsure what exactly that looks like. Below I will describe the kinds of support I provide and then you can reach out if any of it resonates with the help you are looking for.
Live Tutoring Sessions In-Person or Via Zoom - One of the best ways to receive Squarespace support is through live tutoring sessions. These sessions can be conducted with me in Berlin (or wherever I am traveling at the time), where you will receive one-on-one guidance from me, a certified Squarespace expert. Alternatively, live tutoring sessions can also be conducted remotely via Zoom, allowing for flexibility and convenience. During these sessions, I can provide personalized guidance on various aspects of website design, including template selection, customization, content creation, and SEO optimization. I can also just spend the entire time answering your questions. This can help you enhance your website and make the most out of Squarespace's features. In addition, I can also provide branding feedback and content marketing tips that will help you grow your business organically. To find out more about these sessions head here.
Tailor-made Virtual Workshops for A Group of Friends or Your Organization - If you have a team or organization in Berlin (or elsewhere) that requires Squarespace design services, tailor-made virtual workshops can be a valuable option. These workshops can be customized to meet the specific needs and goals of your group or organization, providing comprehensive training on Squarespace website design best practices and techniques. This can help your team acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively design and manage websites on the Squarespace platform, resulting in a cohesive and professional online presence. Not in Berlin? No problem, I am often on the move and am willing to travel to you depending on distance, etc. Get in touch to discuss details.
Email, WhatsApp, or Phone Support - In addition, to live tutoring sessions and virtual workshops, I also offer support through email, WhatsApp, or phone. This allows you to communicate with me at your convenience with your favorite modality, providing guidance and assistance with your website design needs wherever you may be in the world. Whether you have questions, need help with troubleshooting, or require advice on design or technical issues, my email, WhatsApp, or phone support option can be a convenient and efficient alternative to live tutoring sessions.
5. Conclusion
So there you have it. After examining the many benefits Squarespace has to offer, you can hopefully better understand why Squarespace is such a popular website design platform. But as great as it is, it may not be suitable for everyone. With my help and expertise, however, you can learn to leverage its features and create a stunning and functional website for your conscious business or personal projects…especially if you are working with a limited budget. If you are ready to embark on an epic Squarespace design service adventure and create an impressive online presence that reflects your unique brand identity, get in touch and I’d be happy to be your captain. AYE AYE MATEY!
***BONUS BOOTY - anyone who builds a website with my special code gets 20% off their first year. ARGHHHH***
Hey, I want to help you share your gifts with the world. Get in touch today and let’s make this happen!
My Cousin Recently Asked Me How to Get Started Freelancing, Here Was My Response
My cousin recently messaged me asking for help with her Upwork profile. She wanted to give freelancing a shot after working in customer service and the food industry for 10+ years.
I have spoken before about how much I dislike these Freelancer sites because I find them exploitative. In my experience, the best way to get started as a freelancer is by tapping into your local community. Below, I go into depth about the actions I would take if I wanted to get started as a freelancer (and was my actual response to her as well.) Hope it helps!
Tbh, I don’t recommend Upwork or any of those freelance sites. The reason is that you’ll be competing with people who have been on the site for ages and have tons of reviews, etc., or people who live in India and can afford to charge nothing.
I think it’s better to start with your inner network first.
First, though you’ll have to establish a product or service
I recommend reading 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferris and 100 Side Hustles. Between the two you should be able to come up with an offering. If you’re still unsure, ask your loved ones what they think you’re good at.
Once you have an offering, you’ll need an online portfolio, this will depend on your offering. Could be as simple as an Instagram or website or Facebook page. You’ll need to put a few case studies on there which means you’ll need to work for free or cheap in the beginning. For example, if your offering is designing meal plans for busy moms, you’ll need to offer your services to 3 or so moms for free or very cheap, in exchange for feedback and reviews.
Reviews are VERY important!! Best is to register as a business on Google Business. And then you can send the Google link to your clients and ask for a review.
Once you have a few case studies/online portfolio ad reviews, you can start marketing. I would start marketing to groups you already belong to. Like if you go to a particular yoga studio you can ask to leave some flyers there. You can also offer to co-host events to further establish your credibility.
There are other Bootstrappy ways you can promote your biz but TBH the things that work for me are
1. Google reviews, cannot stress this enough.
2. Website where I update at least twice a month with industry-related blog posts.
3. Light LinkedIn posting (1-2 times a week)
I’ve never had to spend money on advertising or promoting myself. People find me organically through Google searches and/or word of mouth. But that takes time to build…content marketing is not an instant gratification method haha there are other ways to grow faster though (ex. such as hosting community events, and having an ad budget)
The last thing I will say is to use ChatGPT to help you write content for your site or promo materials. No need to reinvent the wheel ❤️
Anything else you’d like to know about getting started freelancing and/or bootstrapping a business? Get in touch!
How to Apply Sliding Scale Pricing with the ASS Model
A housemate of mine is starting a somatic healing business and asked me to look at her offerings/website and give feedback. It is important to her to make sure that her offerings are accessible to anyone who might need it, so very clearly stated in the description of all her offerings that she operates on a sliding scale payment system and then gave a very generous range, 20 Eur per hour to 150 Eur per hour. Clients can decide what to pay her based on their financial situation.
Good idea? Here are my thoughts…
I think it’s GREAT when business owners offer accessibility options when it comes to payment. I myself have taken advantage of such offerings over the years when going through moments of financial instability - so I am in no way discouraging this practice. But…I also know that healers especially tend to undersell and devalue themselves. They want to help people so much and reach as many people as possible that they will literally give their offerings away even when it’s a financial burden to do so. But here is the thing you have to remember, Conscious Business Owners have bills too! And with the rising cost of living, it’s becoming even more important to figure out a fair pricing model, one that keeps YOUR bills paid and also promotes accessibility. Otherwise, you risk burning yourself out or going out of business, which is not good for anyone. And offering a very steep discount can actually backfire in the long run when building your brand because it will cause doubt in those who actually can afford to pay a higher rate. They will ASSume that you aren’t really good at what you do and spend their money elsewhere.
Here’s What To Do Instead
Instead of giving anyone and everyone the ability to choose how much they pay for your services, I recommend applying the Assigned Sliding Scale Model. With the ASS model (I can’t make this shit up — HAHA!) you determine the revenue you need to generate per day, week, or month, and then create assigned slots that ensure that you will be compensated fairly. So if you are a massage therapist and you determine that you need to charge €100 a session to keep the lights on and your family fed, then you can offer 1-€100 sessions per day, 1-€50 session per day, and 1-€150 session per day, for example. Once those slots are full, they’re full. You can use this pricing model as marketing, and say something like: “When you book a €150 session, you are supporting access to services to those who may have a hard time accessing these services otherwise.” If you are an advocate for a certain marginalized group (women, trans folks, or BIPOC, etc.) you can clearly state that your discounted rate is specifically for them. This works especially well if you host events, workshops, or teachings.
The more transparent you are about WHY you are offering an assigned sliding scale the more likely your clients will rally with you in a social-justice-minded private practice.
So there you have it - a fair way to offer sliding scale pricing while also ensuring that your lights stay on and you can feed yourself and your family!
Have you used the ASS model in your business? How did it work out for you? Let me know!
I Meditated in a Polish Forest for 10 Days (For Free), Here's What I Learned
I spent the last 2 weeks in the middle of nowhere Poland learning an ancient meditation technique with 99 other curious souls.
I should have taken it as a sign to turn back when Tomek, my Polish taxi driver started playing “Highway to Hell” as we turned off onto the dirt road leading us to the center.
I didn’t really know what I was getting myself into just that I had been curious about Vipassana for a few years now. I had one scheduled in 2020 but it was to take place the same week that the world shut down. And so it was canceled. I was bummed but figured it wasn’t the right time.
Now though, it felt like the right time probably because I am at a crossroads in my life, debating whether to stay in Berlin and continue to build upon the life I’ve created over the last 8 years - or try living a truly digital nomad life for a while. Moving somewhere warm and cheap while saving money to buy some land in the desert.
What better way to uncover your deepest desires than to sign up for a 10-day silent meditation retreat?
Oh, did I not mention it was a silent endeavor? Yep, that meant no talking, no communicating (verbal or nonverbal), no eye contact, no reading, no journalling, no listening to music or watching Netflix, and absolutely no texting or calling for 10 whole days. In fact, they even confiscate your phone and put it in a special locker so you aren’t tempted to sneak in some late-night scrolling.
At first, I thought this sounded like an introvert’s dream. I feel like I have been practicing my WHOLE life for this very thing - if averting eye contact and frivolous small talk were an Olympic sport, I’d be a gold medalist by now. But a few hours in, I felt like quitting. I actually wanted to quit every day I was there, fantasizing about running away in the middle of the night (although I’d have to tell someone unless I was prepared to leave my phone behind).
But I didn’t.
I kept showing up for nothing else than to prove that I was capable of doing hard things.
You see, I have built a pretty comfortable life for myself. I don’t have to go into a job so no boss or co-workers to worry about. I can travel whenever I want and schedule my day as I see fit. I also don’t have any kids or pets (or even a plant at the moment) that require care or attention which means I can go with my own whims. While this sounds like a fun and carefree life (it is) it’s also made me one fragile human being that seems to spiral at the smallest amount of stress. Also, the more options I seem to have, the harder it is for me to feel grounded enough to make a damn decision. So for me, attending this retreat was a very extreme version of stepping outside of my comfort zone so that I can 1. toughen the F up and 2. get clear about what it is I truly want from life.
The Facility
Despite the strict regimen of waking up at 4a to meditate and not being able to make any contact with the outside world, the facility itself was quite nice. I even had my own room and bathroom (a perk to choosing the Polish center vs. other Vipassana centers in the world). They also fed us two delicious meals a day and a fruit/tea break for “dinner”. And we had a considerable amount of downtime to walk around their small patch of woods or soak up some sun (when it came out.)
Still, though, the days seemed to creep by. Those 10 days were the longest days of my life. Every day I had to invent ways to entertain myself - plucking my eyebrows, clipping my toenails, crunching pine cones, playing with sticks, changing the pace of my walking, and napping. It was so funny to see how others entertained themselves as well. People were even hand washing their clothes in the sink and hanging them out to dry the second day in. Yes, we were all that bored.
Would I do it again?
Maybe. Though I am very grateful for the experience (more on that in a second) I am not sure I would need to go through such extreme measures again. That being said one of the things I loved the MOST about the retreat was the people I met. The fact that there are centers all over the world is also really special. I know that no matter where I am in the world or what is going on in my life, I can always drop into a retreat and meet like-minded, open-hearted souls on a similar journey. This feeling of community was something I have been missing - and since I am thinking about becoming a vagabond soon it’s a relief to know that community is available wherever I happen to be. If I went back though, I would likely go as a server or volunteer. The hardest part for me was all the downtime. I would have much rather been helping to prepare lunch or cleaning than playing with sticks for example.
And now for the insights…
I was able to finally let go of certain resentments I thought I had already healed. Though I thought I’d made peace with past relationships - as it turns out I was still catastrophizing them. I was doing the opposite of romanticizing these relationships - I was still gripping onto the pain, the toxicity, and the torment they had caused me. What I realized when I was curled up like a pretzel and deep in meditation, however, was that these relationships (whether familial, romantic, or business) were actually really lovely at times. Some of the best days of my life, for example, were spent on a trip with an ex-business partner. I had parked a big black cloud over this relationship and “accepted” it but failed to remember the intense joy I had also received from our time together. Tears welled up and streamed down when I had this realization. When we fail to acknowledge the whole of something - the “good”, the “bad”, and the neutral - we remain trapped in the highs (or lows) and are never truly free.
I learned how to recognize my bodily sensations as soon as they arise. Goenka’s teachings focus heavily on learning how to recognize the sensations in the body because he says that every emotion or reaction first initiates as a sensation in the body. And if we can fine-tune our spidey senses to detect either subtle or gross sensations as they come up, we can all stop being so reactive, thus leading us to make more clear and loving decisions.
I learned that I love my life and am eternally grateful for the beings that I continue to cross paths with.
Was it worth it? I’d say so, yeah. Especially because the whole experience was my favorite price (Free.99). The center requests that you make a donation to them afterward if you feel that the experience has been valuable to you, but they aren’t pushy about it. And once you have immersed yourself in this tranquil place for 10 days, your heart is so full of immense gratitude for all the folks who had to coordinate their time and efforts that the donation just comes naturally. So yea, definitely worth it :)
Want to know more about my time there? Considering a Vipassana retreat or something similar and have questions? Feel free to reach out. Although if you feel a calling to do something like this I urge you to just go ahead and do it with minimal input from others. That way you’ll be able to get what you need out of it vs. comparing your experience to others.
Stop Being So Elusive, Already
As a lot of you know, I am currently in the process of creating my own Desert Animal Oracle Deck.
When I submitted my proposal to the publisher, I included my own digital concept of what I wanted the cards to look like. Needless to say, the publisher had another vision. Instead, they wanted to bring in an outside illustrator to help with the design.
I wasn’t upset, in fact, my original intent was to do the same but the reason I didn’t was because of budget constraints. Instead, I relied on my minimal Canva skills to whip up some sample cards.
Flash forward to now and we have both been on the hunt for an illustrator — someone who preferably has a connection to the Southwest, a love of animals, and a knack for Scientific skill-level detail when sketching said animals.
How do you suppose we have been conducting the search?
Well, first we asked people we already knew. I asked friends who had Tucson connections if they could recommend someone.
Next, I searched around my community. I went to a local bookshop and looked for any animal stickers, notebooks, or notecards on display near the checkout counter, and noted down the names of their illustrators.
Lastly, I looked at Instagram.
Why am I sharing this with you?
Because I want you to stop being so elusive and private about the gifts you are here to share with the world. How else are people going to find you, if you don’t put yourself out there? I used to think social media was vapid and a big waste of time, but what I am learning is that it is what you make of it. When you have a purpose — to share your gifts with the world — it becomes much easier to open up and let others into your creative process.
Sure, I still get shy before I am about to post something on Instagram. Last night I hesitated a few minutes before pushing that button, but then I did. Why? Because I want others to see what I am creating, so that it inspires them to put love and energy into their own creations. I also want to keep people in the loop because I believe that my oracle cards can help inspire others to protect the beautiful creatures of the Southwest as well deepen their connection to their own inner knowing.
“Happiness is only real when shared.”
As Christopher McCandless, the author of Into the Wild wrote, “Happiness is Only Real When Shared” and I just love it so much. For so long I felt like I had to hide who I was. I was afraid that people would think I was a fraud or that I was taking up too much space. I didn’t think my writing or creative endeavors deserved to see the light of day. But in the end, these are all limiting beliefs that keep me from reaching my highest potential. And I am just over it!
So there you have it, don’t be shy. Or try to play cool and mysterious. Share what you are working on and let others be dazzled by all that you are. Sure, there might be haters. But there might also be a whole lot of people who you help in the process!
Need someone to help hold you accountable when it comes to putting yourself out there? I am now offering a Content Marketing Accountability Coaching program. Head here for more info.
Here's the Easiest Way to Obtain Clients Organically
If you don’t already know, my core mission is to help Conscious Business Owners overcome their limiting beliefs and inherent imposter syndrome so that they can share their gifts with the world. In my humble opinion, there are WAY too many folks out there hawking goods and services that are impacting the environment in negative ways, taking advantage of people’s fears and insecurities, or blatantly spreading toxicity. And I am just not OK with that.
What do all these folks have in common? AUDACITY.
Personally, I think conscientious folks need to become a bit more audacious and put themselves out there. Unfortunately, the more conscious you are, the smaller you stay.
ENOUGH ALREADY!!
The world NEEDS you. Think of all the people you will never help if you stay small. Don’t put yourself out there to fan your own ego, put yourself out there to help others overcome their own struggles. Your good or service has the potential to make someone’s life a little easier as they navigate the tumultuous storm of life. How beautiful is that?!
And now for my advice….
Get yourself set up on Google Reviews and then kindly ask past clients to leave you a review. I know, it sounds scary. But it will help you tremendously when it comes to obtaining new clients organically even if you don’t have a proper website or ample social media following.
To counteract any skepticism you might have, I am now going to be frank with you. I get about one new client inquiry per week contacting me about a particular service I provide. How do they find me? via Google search. Sure my website helps boost SEO because I blog frequently which causes Google to rank my site higher, but they also find me because I am set up with Google reviews and have quite the ranking (5 stars).
If you don’t already have Google Reviews, stop what you are doing immediately and set it up. Right now. DO IT! Here’s how…https://support.google.com/business/answer/3474122?hl=en
Get in touch here if you need more convincing that Google reviews are indeed important for your business.
Should I Use a Brand Name or My Real Name?
Wondering whether you should use a brand name or real name while conducting business? You’re not alone. I have been getting this question quite a bit the past few months so decided I should share my expertise and recommendation.
Once upon a time, I had a business name, a rather catchy business name (if I do say so myself) - Nico New Media. My reasoning? I thought I wanted to appear “bigger” than I was, for people to think I was an agency, a whole team of professionals there to serve, and to build credibility before I had anything to show for it.
I also didn’t want to limit myself. Maybe one day I would be an actual agency, I wouldn’t want to have to put in the work of creating a new brand from scratch.
After getting 500 NNM snazzy business cards printed, my scheme started unraveling at the seams. Any time I created content on social, on my blog, or on my newsletter, I would get confused. “Should I be using first-person? Am I a “we”? WHO TF AM I?”
It took me a few years to finally decide to come out from behind the curtain and start conducting business under my given name. But when I bought nicolepaulus.com and made it official, there was no turning back.
You see, I THOUGHT becoming a big brand was about faking it until I made it, but looking back I see it’s actually deeper than that. I think I was afraid someone would see me as an imposter, that they wouldn’t think I was worthy of doing business with as a solopreneur.
In fact, I have found that many of the female entrepreneurs I work with have similar stories.
In some ways, it is easier to hide behind a brand name because if you fail, your name isn’t plastered to it. BUT - it’s also going to be much harder to obtain quality clients who align with your values especially if you are a coach, consultant, or healer. People want to know who they are doing business with! They want you to show up as your unique self, flaws and all so that they can feel comfortable doing the same. THAT’S how you build credibility, not by faking it.
An added bonus of using your real name to conduct business is that you don’t have to develop a brand voice. You can just create content as if you were talking to a friend.
Need more convincing? Get in touch.
I Want to Share a New Project I've Been Working On....An Animal Oracle Deck for Desert People
Last winter, I escaped the cold gray winters of Berlin and decided to spend time in the magical deserts of Sedona and Joshua Tree instead. To say this was a shift in lifestyle would be an understatement. Instead of having my usually jam-packed calendar of events, workshops, Volleyball games, Ukulele lessons, dinner with friends, and date nights, my schedule was as wiiiiiide open as the vast desert before me.
At first, I was restless. I tried to say connected with friends in different time zones but it started to become tiresome. I was going to bed as they were waking up and vice versa.
The magic started to happen once I stopped resisting this new temporary lifestyle and began venturing out on my own to check out new hiking spots. Along the way, I met interesting characters both in human form as well as animal form. Because I believe symbolism is all around us, if only we have the courage and patience to dig deeper, I began researching what these “chance” animal encounters meant. More often than not, the symbolism brought clarity to a confusing situation that was happening in my life at that moment.
While visiting the “birthing cave” in Sedona, a cave where Hopi Indians would send women to give birth, a friend and I encountered a family of deer.
The meaning? Take time to cultivate your feminine earth energy so that you tune into your higher powers, hone your psychic abilities, and pick up on things that others cannot.
While driving on a dirt road in Yucca Valley to pick up food after an argument with my partner, I encountered not one but two coyotes crossing in front of the car.
The meaning? Don’t take life so seriously. No matter what challenges Coyotes face, they always find time to play.
While hiking alone on a less popular trail in Sedona I encountered a tarantula AND a rattlesnake.
The meaning? You can read about it here.
After several more encounters, I got the idea to start documenting the symbolism and eventually package them into an Oracle deck that fellow desert lovers could use to help understand the unique characteristics and symbolism of these mystical creatures. Not only do I hope the cards will help people access their intuitive gifts but I also hope that they eliminate the fear associated with some of the “scarier” desert animals, such as rattlesnakes, tarantulas, and scorpions, OH MY. Rattlesnakes, for instance, are the only snakes that give you ample warning before striking. How courteous is that?!
I believe animals have so much to teach us and that at any given moment, we can choose to embody their traits in order to help us overcome obstacles and reach new heights. They’ve certainly helped me access a greater understanding of self and my place in the world.
Are you a desert lover who also happens to adore animals? Are you someone who spends time trying to discover the deeper meaning of life? Are you always looking for tools or methods that will help bring clarity to your life? Then keep reading…
In a few months, I hope to launch a 39-page Oracle Deck for Desert People. The illustrations and descriptions are *mostly* done and are currently being read by a few trusted individuals for feedback. In addition, I have already narrowed it down to two potential printers who will sustainably print the cards and accompanying booklet. After that I will set up a Kickstarter account so that people can pre-order the cards. The reason for this is so that I can secure a cheaper rate. The more decks I order, the cheaper each deck becomes. My goal is to sell 500 decks on preorder to start.
Want to stay in the know? Wonderful! Just pass me your email below and I can add you to a list. I’ll make sure to update on the pre-orders so that you can be first in line to the divine.
How Important is Social Media When Growing Your Conscious Business?
Well it depends on who you ask but since you asked me (or did I ask you?) I digress…
Social Media is pretty damn important.
I recently interviewed Tammy Tamuno, the lead education consultant of purplebook.ng, for the Transparent Voices series and she said she grew her entire business on Instagram. Her advice? If you want to grow your business you have to go where your ideal clients hang out. If they’re hanging out on Instagram then, by all means, you need to be on Instagram.
As a Conscious Business Owner, I’m not a big fan of anyone spreading themselves too thin, especially when it comes to social media. That’s why I recommend that my clients focus on one, MAYBE two, social media platforms that they resonate with most and then just deep dive into them. Now, I realize that this is contradictory advice from the big social media guru Gary Vee, but unlike Gary Vee, I’m assuming you don’t have a big social media team whose sole job is to repurpose content for you, am I right?
So, where do you go from here?
Well, you pick one social media platform that you vibe with. For me that’s LinkedIn.
Though I tend to use Instagram more in my personal life, I feel I already spend too much time on that app. And I didn’t want to just all of the sudden start posting about social media and digital marketing when my “followers” have grown to expect travel pics and funny shit I find on the street. In other words, my Instagram profile already had an identity, and I didn’t feel my business would be able to exist peacefully within the constraints. I also didn’t want to start a separate business Instagram profile for myself because ugh, that seems so exhausting.
That’s how I settled on LinkedIn and so far it’s been great! People are friendly and professional over there, and I feel like I have a safe space to share my knowledge and expertise. But that doesn’t mean it would work for your business. Do what feels good to you.
To finish up this blog post, I want to reiterate the importance of having a social media presence, not only to grow your current audience, like Tammy did, but to help you gain clout in the space. Case in point, I am organizing an interview series called Transparent Voices for a client and I reached out the World of Women (a renowned NFT founder) for an interview. Her assistant responded saying they weren’t interested. Being the bold bish I am, I replied asking her why considering my client has over 7 million visitors to his site every year. Her answer? My client didn’t have a very big social media following.
What? So, if my client had purchased followers, like many influencers and brands do, she would have happily agreed to the interview? Perhaps. Who knows. But one thing I do know is that social media still matters. And that key gatekeepers and potential clients still judge you based on your number of followers. So take it from me, get in the habit of posting regularly and soon enough you will see it pay off in the form of new clients or partnerships.
Need some help with a social media strategy? Get in touch!
How to Feel Richer Than Any of the Kardashians Combined
This week was a wild ride.
I found out an old coworker of mine passed away from cancer. He was a young father of two little girls and had been battling stage 4 cancer for a few years.
That a neighbor of ours had a stroke on the way to the supermarket.
That my aunt’s husband passed away from a heart attack. He started feeling symptoms at his son’s wedding but didn’t want to disturb the ceremony.
On a lighter note, I also found out that my younger sister, who is graduating from high school with honors soon, received a scholarship to attend my alma mater. I sent her some money with a note attached that read the following:
Congratulations on your BIG achievement. I am SO proud of you and can't wait to see what amazing things you do for the world!! If I could offer one piece of advice it would be this: TRAVEL as often as you can!! - see the world, taste different foods, immerse yourself in other cultures, attempt to talk to locals even when you don't speak the same language, and try to stay in one place for a while if you can (at least a few weeks) so you really feel what it's like to live there. If you follow this advice - your life will always be rich (even if you aren't haha). I love you so very much!!
While I stand behind my message, the truth is, I needed this reminder myself because sometimes I feel like I am behind financially to my childhood friends, many of whom own their own houses and have stable jobs with good pensions. Sometimes I feel like I’m not working hard enough - like I should be doing something more productive with my time than practicing ukulele or playing beach volleyball. Some of my friends are new moms and swear they are in love with their little humans. I believe them, but again, it makes me question my own life choices. Should I start a family and finally put down roots somewhere?
But then I hear devastating news like the first few points I listed in the beginning and I am reminded of the fragility of life. Life is too short to compare yourself to others. Or to try to live a life that makes others proud. Instead, we should all be living life to its fullest in every way possible, in whatever way works for us. For some, that means bringing new humans into the world or devoting your life to a project or passion. For others, like me, that means traveling the world and experiencing the beauty of the world firsthand.
And that’s exactly what I am doing.
Case in point - I am currently clacking away on my laptop in Crete. Every day that we’ve been here, my partner and I have either been working out together on the balcony that overlooks the sea, climbing steep mountains while the rocky earth crunches beneath our boots, eating locally grown vegetables doused in olive oil, or alternating between bathing in the salty sea and warm sun.
Now the time here hasn’t all been dolmades and yogurt. I am apparently allergic to olive trees which happen to be blooming right now - which causes my eyes to itch and nose to consistently feel like a loaded canon. Our Airbnb has had many water-related issues, no hot water sometimes, no water at all at other times, and today, well today, water was shooting out of the wall of the bathroom sink. And yesterday I ate chicken souvlaki that may or may not have been a leather handbag.
But as annoying as these things are at the moment, I wake up every day grateful for the life I’ve created and for the people I’ve helped in the process.
Though I may not be a homeowner or have an impressive retirement plan, I LOVE my life. And that’s what being a CBO is all about - not becoming the next influencer, selling millions of memberships to your coaching program, or getting on the bestseller list. It’s about living your life, your one precious life, to the fullest so that you can inspire others to do the same.
And that, my friend, is the secret to feeling richer than any of the Kardashians combined.